Thank you very much for visiting our fundraising page.

Peter & I put our love of sailing to good use this year during June and July. We each spent 4 days, separately,  from 22nd June to 2nd July as helpers with the Ellen MacArthur Trust.  Although we have now both completed our trips the fundraising page is still open until October.

For those who don't know, Dame  Ellen set up the Trust to provide some respite to children aged between 8-18 who are undergoing treatment for cancer, leukaemia and other serious illness. The Trust takes the young people on sailing trips from its base in Cowes, on boats lent by supporters, to help them regain their confidence, on their way to recovery.

The trips involve quite a few water fights.  On our induction day I spoke to one of the volunteers who was on a trip last year. Her personal highlight was when Ellen came on her boat and they spent a good hour filling water bombs for the kids to throw at another EMT boat.  When asked by someone what Dame Ellen was like she said - "I have no idea - she  just kept filling the water bombs and saying hurry up to me"

It is a very small charity and does not benefit from massive legacies.  All the money raised goes into taking kids on sailing trips to give them something to think about other than their treatment and to meet other young people with the same life experiences.

The Trust started in 2002 and has grown quickly and this year is expected to provide over 1,000 days (1 child for 1 day) of life changing sailing experiences to young people.

We have met some incredible young people who have been on these trips and their enthusiasm and courage is quite unbelievable - which was what inspired us to do something to help.

Our  trips were quite amazing we both had a great time and it was a joy to watch the young people grow in confidence.

So, if you would like to support us that would be brilliant.  It costs £500 to take one child away for one 4 day trip so we originally set two children's places on a 4 day trip as our target, however, thanks to the incredible generosity of our friends we have raised this to £2,500 or 5 places on a 4 day trip.

Any donation would be fantastic whatever the size - it all helps.

Donating through Justgiving is quick, easy and totally secure. It’s also the most efficient way to sponsor us: The Ellen MacArthur Trust gets your money faster and, if you’re a UK taxpayer, Justgiving makes sure 25% in Gift Aid, plus a 3% supplement, are added to your donation.