The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a national sailing and outdoor adventure charity that inspires young people aged 8-24 to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer.

Young people remain vulnerable after treatment as it comes at a time of rapid physical, emotional and social development, and for many, simply picking up where they left off before their diagnosis just isn’t possible. When treatment ends the Trust’s work begins.

Through free sailing and outdoor adventure activities, young people feel:

Accepted – they meet and make friends with others who have had similar experiences – often for the first time - and stop feeling like ‘the only one’.     

Independent - they have fun and rediscover independence away from home and outside of their ‘cancer bubble’. They realise what they are capable of again, physically, mentally, and socially. 

Optimistic - their sense of purpose and self-worth increases, and they start to re-establish their place in the world by getting back into education or work and reconnecting with their friends and families.

Whatever the next step is, young people know they are not taking it alone. The Trust is there for anyone who is struggling or could do with support, however long off treatment they are.

For some young people one trip is enough to start moving on. Many others need support over time. Each young person is able to choose their own path to a brighter future.

Dame Ellen MacArthur, the Trust’s founder and patron, said: “Receiving funding from the People’s Poscode Lottery has been a game changer in enabling us to reach and have a positive impact on the lives of many hundreds of these young people over the past decade.

“We know the impact the Trust has on the mental wellbeing of young people living through and beyond cancer. Thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, more and more will get the support they need to believe in a brighter future.”