FranksBlog - All the News from The Ellen MacArthur Trust

Round the Island - Charity Challenge

2010-05-19T03:16:00.000-07:00

Once again there will be a charity challenge hitting the water at the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race (19 June 2010). Four cancer charities have each been provided a SailTime Beneteau Oceanis 40 yacht and an experienced skipper and first mate for the race, with the crews aiming to fundraise a combined total of £18,000. The challenge forms part of J.P. Morgan Asset Management’s continued commitment to charitable causes, which has helped raise over £350,000 during their time as title sponsor of the Round the Island Race.

Last year’s race saw the first edition of the challenge with charity ambassadors including Phoenix night’s comedian Dave Spikey joining the sail to help raise over £11,000. This year will be no different as former European and Commonwealth 400m champion Iwan Thomas will fly the flag for Macmillan. Prostate UK will have 18 year old sailor Mike Perham as their skipper, last year he famously entered the record books by becoming the youngest person ever to sail around the world. Whilst Ellen will support her crew on the water aboard another Ellen MacArthur Trust boat.

The remaining crew positions for Prostate UK, The Ellen MacArthur Trust, Breast Cancer Care and Macmillan will contain people who are involved with their specific charity.

The prize at the end is the right to claim the 2010 SailTime Charity Challenge Trophy which will be presented after the race to the winning charity team by triple Olympic gold medallist Ben Ainslie. The annual J.P. Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race, organised by the Island Sailing Club, is a one-day yacht race around the Isle of Wight. The race regularly attracts over 1,700 boats and around 16,000 sailors, making it one of the largest yacht races in the world and the fourth largest participation sporting event in the UK after the London Marathon and the Great North and South Runs. The race is a great opportunity to watch world-renowned sailors racing on an equal basis alongside families and first timers.

The Ellen MacArthur Trust boat taking part in the Challenge will have a crew made up of the family and friends of young people who have previously sailed with the Trust. One of the crew will be Emma Stokes, from Stevenage, she has experienced first-hand the impact the Ellen MacArthur Trust can have on the confidence of young people recovering from cancer and leukaemia when her 16-year-old sister Victoria suffered bone cancer.

Trust Challenge crew member Emma said: “It’s fantastic how the Trust made Victoria feel normal again. The young people can discuss what they've been through without feeling embarrassed and no-one will stare at their thin hair that hasn't fully grown back yet or ask difficult questions. They can just have a lot of fun. I’m so pleased to be able to give something back”

You can support the crew here

Running for the Trust

2010-05-12T04:33:00.000-07:00

If you fancy helping the Trust by raising much needed funds and enjoy running here are two events that may be of interest

Bupa Great South Run - Sunday 24th October

The Ellen MacArthur Trust had 75 places in the Bupa Great South Run 2010, Europe’s leading 10 mile road race. This is a fast flat course starting in Southsea, Portsmouth, which takes you past much of Britain’s naval heritage, including HMS Victory and HMS Warrior. Places are being snapped up fast and we have less than 20 left so please contact EMT to register your interest, and receive your online key code to complete your application.

Brighton Marathon Sunday 10th April

We have just secured 10 places in the Brighton Marathon these places are going to go quickly so if your interested don't delay and contact us today.

April Newsletter

2010-04-28T12:14:00.000-07:00

We sent out our April e-newsletter today which includes a interview with Ellen, you can read it online here

Articles this month include include an interview with our Patron Dame Ellen MacArthur and a round up of all the news.

If you want to sign up for future e newsletters you can do so here

Update on giving back....

2010-04-19T11:37:00.000-07:00

As I mentioned last week One of the key aims of the Ellen MacArthur Trust is to develop those who sail with us into volunteers once they are over 18.

You can read more on how they got on here

Giving Back......

2010-04-13T09:40:00.000-07:00

One of the key aims of the Ellen MacArthur Trust is to develop those who sail with us into volunteers once they are over 18. So it's great that we are kicking off this years sailing activity with 15 volunteers who previously sailed with us training this week

The Trust knows from experience that these volunteers who have sailed as young people can provide very positive role models for those sailing for the first time just out of treatment . It also gives our young people the chance to learn more about sailing, and, in their words, to give something back to the Trust and those who are still at the beginning of their recovery journey.

You can read all about the week here http://tinyurl.com/y88jpyh

March Newsletter

2010-03-31T07:59:00.000-07:00

We sent out our March e-newsletter today if you missed it you can read it online http://tinyurl.com/ybxmcwp

Articles this month include Daisys case study, an interview with Rachael one of the CLIC Sargent Social workers we work with and a round up of all the news.

If you want to sign up for future e newsletters you can do so here http://tinyurl.com/ybswtmm

Recycle and raise funds for the Trust

2010-03-17T07:19:00.000-07:00

You can recycle your old mobile phone or ink cartridges and help the Trust while reducing landfill click here to find out

Exciting week at the Trust

2010-03-07T03:29:00.000-08:00

Exciting week for us all at the Trust - Inspire the first issue of our Newsletter goes to print this week.

It has been a lot of work and Tracy and the team at RF Design have done a fantastic job, some of the original concepts came from our friends at Into the Blue. The proofs looks great and I can't wait for it to come back from the printers.

If you would like a copy - email your address to tracy.curtis@ellenmacarthurtrust.org.

February e-newsletter

2010-02-26T23:34:00.000-08:00

We sent out our February e-newsletter yesterday if you missed it you can read it online here and sign up here to make sure you get the latest news.

Thanks to the great team at Intellegentia for their continued support of the trust and assitance with helping us to communicate what we do.

And don't forget it is not to late to sign up for our Round the Island cycle challenge, West Wight Triathlon and The BUPA Great South Run and help raise vital funds for the trust for more details contact jo.summers@ellenmacarthurtrust.org

We Won!!!!

2010-02-24T23:09:00.000-08:00

We won two categories in the Hants Web Business Award for our website www.ellenmacarthurtrust.org which was built and designed by the team at OC Vision.

It's the first award that the Trust has ever won and we are all very proud.

You can find out more at http://www3.hants.gov.uk/hantswebawards/its-hantswebawards-winners09.htm

Could you spare 15 minutes.............

2010-02-10T08:52:00.000-08:00

We are currently having a look at the core values of the Trust as part of a brand review.

Could you spare 15 minutes and help us to learn more about what the Trust means to you? nothing taxing just a few key questions that will help us as we move forward.

If you think you could help drop me a line at frank@ellenmacarthurtrust.org

January Newsletter

2010-02-01T04:19:00.000-08:00

We sent out our January e-newsletter last week if you missed it you can read it online here and sign up here

In the Newsletter we have launched our Friends of the Trust

By becoming a Friend of the Trust, and making a regular donation, you can help us continue our work to inspire confidence and build friendships through sailing to young people who have been through so much during their treatment for cancer and leukaemia.

Having a guaranteed regular income is invaluable to a small charity like the Ellen MacArthur Trust, allowing us to plan ahead. If you sign up as a Friend of the Trust you will receive a certificate signed by Dame Ellen MacArthur and one of our new Ellen MacArthur Trust mugs in appreciation of your commitment. Simply download this Direct Debit form, complete and return back to us or log on to the Virgin Money Giving Website and set up a regular donation.

LBCC continue to support the Trust

2010-01-25T04:38:00.000-08:00

Back in 1998 Peter Thompson, Steve Green and Phil Davis, who were all consultants for the Little Britain Office Development on London Wall organised a yacht race to mark the end of the project. The original wager for the single race was the price of a dinner, 22 years later it is the biggest regatta in England after Cowes Week, and is easily the biggest European industry event.

But LBCC is about so much more than a yacht race. Over the last 22 years LBCC has raised well over 1 million pounds for charity, and over the last five years provided the Trust with over £137,000 of support. We simply would not be where we are without LBCC. It was therefore with great pleasure that Jo, Tracy, myself and Ellen attended a reception on Thursday night where Ellen accepted a cheque on our behalf for this years support.

A huge thanks to all those involved in LBCC, you make what we do possible

You can find out more about the event here.

EMT RIB in the Snow

2010-01-12T07:03:00.000-08:00

Many of you will have seen the EMT Rib out and about over the Summer. Our work horse spends the summer shifting kit, volunteers, staff and young people.

Here she is last week looking a little cold!

Into 2010........

2010-01-03T10:44:00.000-08:00

Well the EMT office reopens tomorrow and we have lots of exciting plans for 2010.

Our summer trips will grow to accommodate the new hospital we intend to work with and maintain relationships with our current hospitals. We will offer more of our ‘return to sail’ programme. We intend to participate in the JPMorgan Round the Island Race with a minimum of three yachts, and run two weeks at our Bradwell Residential Dinghy Week.

Due to the success of longer cruising on the Round Britain voyage, we have an exciting new initiative, which we will be announcing later this year.

After discussions with medical professionals at the hospitals we work with, we will be running a Pilot Scheme to take a group of 18-24 year olds in recovery from cancer sailing for the first time. This experience will be much like our summer four-day trips for under 18’s but slightly adapted for the older group. We are very excited about this, its something that Tracy, Jo and myself have been hoping to do for a while.

All in all it looks like it could be another very exciting year – watch this space and thanks for your continued support.

Happy Christmas and a Happy New Year

2009-12-18T02:50:00.000-08:00

What a fantastic year 2009 has been, we took more young people sailing than ever before and completed our Round Britain voyage with help from Skandia and the other partners

A huge thanks to all those who supported us financially in 2009, our band of volunteers without who we couldn't deliver all we do, the Round Britain team Cath, Karen, Simon and Joey, our full time team in Cowes Tracy and Jo, Dave our volunter Bosun and Rita who helps in the office as well as everyone who has been involved with the Trust in 2009

All in all it has been a great year for EMT this video above all else sums up 2009, click here Happy Xmas and a Happy New Year.

Hope you will continue to follow and support us in 2010

One inspirational man and one amazing voyage......

2009-12-07T01:32:00.000-08:00

Geoff Holt is one of the most inspirational people I have ever had the privilege to meet.

Geoff was paralysed while working as a Charter Yacht skipper in the Carribean at the age of eighteen. Following his accident he faced many challenges as he rebuilt his life, and in 2007, he became the first quadriplegic yachtsman to sail solo around Great Britain, if you haven't read his book Walking on Water I highly recommend it.

We were very honoured, that Geoff has chosen the Ellen MacArthur Trust as the official charity of his next Challenge. In which Geoff will set sail in a 60ft, purpose-built, wheelchair-accessible catamaran on a voyage across the Atlantic Ocean. The 3,000 mile journey will take him up to a month to complete. Although both physically able to navigate and sail the boat competently, Geoff is unable to look after his own physical requirements. He can not get himself out of his wheelchair to sleep, to use the loo or to shower without help. To overcome this, Geoff will be accompanied on the voyage by a professional, medically trained carer to aid him with the physical aspects of his life. The carer (Susana) will play no part in the sailing of the yacht.

Geoff is currently in Lanzarote making final preparations on Impossible Dream. He is in good spirits and is enjoying being in the marina amongst the yachting community.

Speaking last week “We are getting the boat ready at the moment. It is really good to finally be out here in Lanzarote with Susana getting the boat as we want it. We are currently stowing equipment, food (especially chocolate for Susana). The engineers have just left the boat and have been here sorting out the brackets ready for tomorrow’s fitting of the comms dome.
We are both so excited as it really feels like it is about to happen.The weather is beautiful and we are about to go off for a lunch with The Rotary Club.. Next week we are continuing to identify what needs doing. From next Friday we will take the boat out for some practice sails and we really hit the countdown to the 10th.”

Ellen summed up the thoughts of everyone at the Trust “Geoff is one of the most remarkable people I have ever met. Not only has he already achieved the unachievable, but he is humble with it. I think few will understand just how important this challenge is to Geoff; perhaps in a way it is unfinished business. This next chapter is as incredible as his life so far. I wish Geoff all the best, and I can only think of the pleasure you will feel of once again being at sea under the stars.”

You can follow the voyage here or support his fundraising for the trust here

Everyone at the Ellen MacArthur Trust wishes Geoff the very best.

The stage is set for one of the greatest yachting challenges of our time.

Virgin Money Giving vs. Justgiving

2009-11-27T04:41:00.000-08:00

The Trust is now registered with Virgin Money Giving, and when you look at the financial sums it is easy to understand why;

For every £10 donated (with Gift Aid) we receive £12.46 from Virgin Money giving compared to approx. £11.94 with Justgiving (and this takes no account of the £10 monthly fee that Justgiving charge and virgin do not)

We will continue to be registered on Justgiving, as it continues to be the market leader but our preferred online donation method is now Virgin.

So if you want to set up a fundraising page or make a donation you can do so here in the knowledge that your support will now go a little further Virgin Money Giving Here

Early diagnosis the key

2009-11-23T10:45:00.000-08:00

A great article in today's Metro, http://tinyurl.com/y9wlops, highlighting the problems with diagnosing Cancer in young adults. Well done to the Lymphoma Association http://www.lymphomas.org.uk/ in generating this level of publicity, have a look at there site linked to this campaign http://www.pitfart.com/

With the average GP seeing one case of cancer in a young person every 20 years, and early diagnosis so vital, campaigns like this are so important

Congratulations to Cath and Karen

2009-11-16T12:36:00.000-08:00

Huge congratulations to Cath and Karen who having sailed around Britain this summer have cycled from Lands End to John O'Groats and climbed 3 peaks full story here http://tinyurl.com/yg5b9bn

Summer over time to start planning for 2010 and beyond

2009-10-19T12:23:00.001-07:00

Well what a great end to the Summer with the return of the Round Britain Voyage if you missed it this video really sums it up http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9XZfFCEL8no

We have started planning our activity you can get all the up to date news here, on twitter, http://twitter.com/emttrust and on the website www.ellenmacarthurtrust.org

What a Craic

2009-08-02T11:06:00.000-07:00

With the summer yacht trips over (Thanks Jo Tracy and Nick for all your efforts - 105 young people in recovery from Cancer and Leukaemia have sailed on the Solent in the last 7 weeks) it was off to Belfast to welcome Scarlet on her Round Britain voyage (www.roundbritain.org)and what a welcome The Lord Mayor of Belfast, a Piper and fire tug. Huge thanks to Gillian Peter and all the team at NICFFC for all their hard work and assistance. It’s a great city Belfast and they certainly pulled all the stops out for us. I’ll be sad to get on the plane tomorrow. Best of Luck to the crew of Leg 12

Halfway........

2009-07-06T02:29:00.000-07:00

By my reckoning at some point tomorrow Scarlet will pass the halfway point on her voyage around Britain and tomorrow night will mark the half way point of the summer yacht trips in the Solent. Well done to the whole team Jo, Tracy, Cath, Karen and Simon.

Round the Island - What a great day

2009-06-26T03:41:00.000-07:00

We had a lovely day, 09.00 start, Phil had a great strategy at the start find a little bit of clear water and wind and don't be on course side, everyone on board was in great spirits, we were becalmed just after the start, which I think was the point at which Chloe started the first "yes / no game" Claire and Shirley were definitely the experts at winning though. Once the wind filled in we had a great sail down the Solent,

Got round the Needles really easily, bit of fun to St Cat's with boats on Port and then great sail after Ventnor, we then started to compose our own version of "show me the way to Amarillo" and thanks to Cath and Phil we avoided the parking lot at Bembridge as the breeze had started to fill in further offshore. Lots of fun at Ryde but we tacked out into clear water what we lost in foul tide we gained in clear water and wind,

Long beat up the Solent and we finished at 20.39. 403rd in IRC. Huge thanks to Phil, Sarah, Cath, Shirley,Chloe, Claire, Harriet, Joseph, and Sam I had a great day

JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race

2009-06-18T07:53:00.001-07:00

Chloe, Harriett, Claire, Sam, Jo , Larvell, Luke, Lucy and James arrived in Cowes today (Thursday) to compete in the JP Morgan Asset Management Asset Round the Island Race on Saturday. We have two boats competing on Saturday A donf our Gib Sea 44 and a Beanteau Oceanis 37 kindly leant to us by Beneteau for the race. I will be joining the Gib Sea 44 skippered by Phil Hagen.

Our entries into the Race forms part of our aim to build long-term relationships with the young people who have sailed with us. We write each year inviting them back to continue their sailing experience with the Trust, up until their remission date or their 18th birthday. As well as continuing their sailing qualifications, it gives the young people a chance to meet up with old friends and make new ones who have all shared the same experiences.
As well as building a relationship, strengthening friendships and having a lot of fun, our ‘return to sail’ programme is vital to realise our aim of inspiring young people who are in recovery to return as volunteer crew on our trips once they reach the age of 18. Tyler, 15 came on his first trip in 2008 and his mother had this to say: “Tyler gained lots of confidence and lots of new friends who he is still in touch with. I am really glad he went. To meet children who have been through the same thing is invaluable. Tyler also met a volunteer in his twenties who had the same cancer as him which gave Tyler a lot of hope for the future.”

The Trust first entry in to The Round the Island Race was back in 2005 The crew was made up of 6 previous students (Emma, Peter, Dan, Dean, Tom and another Peter) and 4 crew made up of Myself, Kim Rowlandson, Cath Bremner (Trustees) and Martin Noyle. We didn’t make it round that year but a great time was had onboard.

We have competed every year since but this is the first year that I will be back onboard. Thank you Jo and Tracy for all your hard work on shore that has enabled me to go afloat.

Since 2006 Scarlet Oyster has competed under the trust colours, she is off sailing Round Britain this year (www.roundbritain.org) writing this brings backs memories of Gordon Applebey who was a great friend and huge supporter of the Trust. He first became involved when he contacted us with the offer of lending us Scarlet and then became a part of almost everything we did . Gordon skippered Scarlet in the 2006 & 2007 JPMorgan Round the Island Race, leading the young crews, all in recovery from cancer and leukaemia to a very respectable 238th in 2006, and 248th in 2007. This is the second year Gordon has not been here for the Race I think his record is pretty safe on Saturday, I will think of him on Saturday as we pass the Needles. Dan Monk our Ambassador will be sailing with Ross Applebey, Gordons son on Liara. Best of Luck to them both they will certainly get round quicker than us!

The Race is also a great fundraiser for the Trust every year over 150 employees from the JP Morgan Bournemouth either office cycle and sail Round the Island last year they raised well over £19,050, last years cyclists compeleted the 55 mile course in just over 3 hours, it is a great effort and we really appreciate the help.

There will be regular updates on the site on Saturday and trackers on the boats and cyclists so you can follow their progress, and check back after Saturday to find out how we got on

Volunteer Induction

2009-06-11T01:18:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday we held our annual Volunteer Induction day. Over 35 volunteers from all the country spent the day finding out about the trust, how we operate and their part in making the trips the best experience possible for the young people. We are so lucky to have so many volunteers who give their time and expertise so freely, Thank you to them all and to Jo and Tracy for running such a great day

Busy Week......

2009-05-19T02:36:00.001-07:00

It has been some week, the weather gods were not kind to us which added to some engine problems meant that at times I thought that Tower Bridge might open without Scarlet Oyster. With some great help from Chris Livett and Tracey his engineer we managed it though. Well done to all the team. Chjeck out the Round Britain site for some great pictures and the leg two video.