Dame Ellen MacArthur’s cancer charity sets up Scottish hub

Published on 05/09/2012 14:47

A CHARITY set up by Dame Ellen MacArthur to help seriouslly ill youngsters recover has announced plans for its first Scottish hub.

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust takes young people aged between 8-24 sailing to help them regain confidence, on their way to recovery from cancer, leukaemia and other serious illness.

The new branch will open in Largs, North Ayrshire, in June 2013. It means youngsters from Scotland will no longer have to travel to the Isle of Wight to take part in the charity’s courses.

Health secretary Nicola Sturegon welcomed the news, she said: “Having a hub here in Scotland will allow more Scottish youngsters to benefit. I know that the young people’s experience with the Trust has a long-lasting impact on the lives of those who sail with the team, building their self-confidence and giving them the opportunity to make new friends who have experienced similar challenges.”

Frank Fletcher, CEO of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust said the new Scottish base was being funded by contributions from the People’s Postcode Lottery

Sailor MacArthur set up the trust more than a decade ago saying she had been insprired by the bravery and attiitude of youngsters with cancer she spent time with during a trip to France.

She said: ““These are really special kids. In many ways they are just they same as everyone else, they are interested in the same things as kids their age, they have the same goals in life, but the difference is that they do this with a huge challenge ahead of them.”

Youngsters take part in a range of sailing activities through the thrust which they say helps them gain confidence and teach them new skills.