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
Friday, 18 December 2009
Monday, 7 December 2009
One inspirational man and one amazing voyage......
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.
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.
Friday, 27 November 2009
Virgin Money Giving vs. Justgiving
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
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
Monday, 23 November 2009
Early diagnosis the key
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
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
Monday, 16 November 2009
Congratulations to Cath and Karen
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
Monday, 19 October 2009
Summer over time to start planning for 2010 and beyond
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
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
Sunday, 2 August 2009
What a Craic
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
Monday, 6 July 2009
Halfway........
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.
Friday, 26 June 2009
Round the Island - What a great day
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
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
Thursday, 18 June 2009
JP Morgan Asset Management Round the Island Race
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
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
Thursday, 11 June 2009
Volunteer Induction
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
Tuesday, 19 May 2009
Busy Week......
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.
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