Founded by record breaking yachtswomen Dame Ellen MacArthur, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust aims to give priceless experiences to empower and inspire young cancer survivors.
Originally founded in Cowes on the Isle of Wight in 2003, the Trust expanded to Scotland in 2013, setting up their base at Largs Yacht Haven.
Over the past twenty years, to Trust has given 3,000 young people the chance to sail from Largs, giving them experiences on the water, improving their mental wellbeing and giving cancer survivors a feeling of independence and optimism for the future.
"We were flying people down to Southampton, away from one of the most stunning places in the UK to sail"
Talking to the Largs & Millport News, Trust CEO Frank Fletcher explained the decision to open their second base at Largs.
“We were made to feel really welcome in Largs when we visited in 2009, when we sailed round the whole of Britain. This place now has a very special place in my heart.
“There are so many reasons why Largs was chosen as the charity’s second base. It is a fantastic place to go sailing, there are so many locations to visit, and it’s reasonably sheltered.
“We wanted to cut people’s travel time and the impact it was having on the planet, because we were working with young people from Glasgow and Edinburgh hospitals.
“We were flying them down to Southampton, away from one of the most stunning places in the UK, to sail.”
Boating experiences for over 300 young people each year
Back in 2003, the Trust took just five young people on the water. Nowadays, every summer the Trust take 300 young people aged 8-24 from across the UK on 4-5 day trips.
Almost 2,900 young people living through cancer have benefited from the Trust's activities in England and Scotland.
"We are really pleased to be working in Scotland. It is one of the most beautiful places in the world to sail. We have been overwhelmed by the welcome and support we received at Largs. We could not have asked for any more!"
- Frank Fletcher, Chief Executive at Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust
