Round the Island Race kicks off the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust 20th Anniversary Campaign
by Jo Bowden 27 Apr 2023 14:34 BST
1 July 2023
Dame Ellen MacArthur onboard Solent Hero, Round the Island Race 2022 © Martin Allen Photography
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is delighted to once again be the Official Race Charity of Round the Island Race in 2023. The charity is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, having been launched by Dame Ellen MacArthur in July 2003. Five young people went sailing that first summer with the Trust and now almost 2,900 young people have been part of their transformational sailing adventures.
Since becoming the Race charity in 2005, over £300,000 has been raised for the Trust, enabling the charity to support hundreds of young people post-treatment. No fewer than 24 young people will once again be taking part in the Race across four boats this year.
To mark this special occasion, Race entrants are encouraged to make a positive difference in young people's lives this summer by joining the charity's #200for20 Birthday Challenge, which is launching on the day of the Race, Saturday 1st July. Competitors and friends of the Race will be encouraged to raise £200 which will help the Trust support up to 750 young people this year - more than ever before - as they take the next steps after their cancer treatment.
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a national charity that takes young people aged 8-24 on sailing and outdoor adventures to inspire them to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer. When treatment ends the Trust's work begins, because for many simply picking up where they left off before their diagnosis just isn't possible.
One of the young people is Sonal, who was first supported by the Trust in 2021 after treatment for refractory Hodgkin lymphoma, which she was diagnosed with five years ago. She returned for a four-day sailing trip from East Cowes in 2022, and will sail as part of the Trust's crew for the Race this summer.
Reflecting on her time with the Trust, she said: "I was diagnosed just after I finished uni and went through three years of treatment. Then Covid came on the back of that. So it feels like life pushed pause on getting a job, starting a career, moving away. They're all things everyone else my age has been doing.
"I feel less alone at the Trust, it's easy to forget you're not the only one experiencing this. Meeting people who have been in the same boat as you is great. So is being in a situation where you're a little out of your comfort zone and being challenged like this, because it shows me that I can still do things. It gives you some confidence again."
Frank Fletcher, Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust CEO, said: "This year we launched our Ambitions 2023-25, with the aim of being accessible and inclusive to all young people who have a cancer diagnosis in the UK and ensuring every young person experiences belonging and improved mental wellbeing with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.
"What we achieve in the next three years will lay the foundations for the next 20. Thank you to the sailors who will help us achieve this by taking part in this year's race."
Check out the Trust's JustGiving page for the Round the Island Race #200for20 challenge here. Head to ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org for ideas on how to fundraise and more information about the charity.
Get Race Day Ready
B&G, the Race Marine Electronics Partner, is excited to invite competitors to get 'Race Day Ready' with their fortnightly blog series which will launch in mid-May. The blog series will share hints and tips on how best to prepare for the Race, such as planning with the B&G App, looking at the tides and viewing exclusion zones. B&G are also thrilled to announce two webinars to be hosted in June; the first will cover the basics such as preparation and how to ensure you have a great day on the water and the second a deeper dive into how to get the most out of your electronics.
Helly Hansen, the Official Clothing Partner of Round the Island Race 2023, is launching a capsule collection in partnership with the Island Sailing Club as well as kitting out more than 150 volunteers and organisers for the event. The collection incorporates some of the brand's favourite technical pieces for the marine and water sports industry, including a HP 1/2 Zip Pullover (made from recycled double-knit polyester), Crew Vest and Club Hoodie for both men and women. All garments feature the Race logo and will be available to order by the end of May.
The Island Sailing Club, based on the Isle of Wight, is proud to have organised this globally renowned race for over 90 years. The Club offers a free rating system for competitors (ISCRS), without current IRC rating certificates, who would like to take part in this Race. This is an extremely popular option for boats and crews which may only choose to do one race a year to compete and there are over 340 entries to date for the 2023 Race using this rating system.
For Race information, the 2023 Notice of Race and to enter, go to the event website www.roundtheisland.org.uk. For all the latest news on social media - @roundtheisland and #RoundTheIsland #RaceForAll.