More than 125 young people in recovery from cancer took part in Round Britain '17 - a 2,400 mile relay team race around the UK coast
26 September 2017
Since May, more than 125 young people in recovery from cancer have been given the chance to sail a leg of the Round Britain ’17 run by Dame Ellen MacArthur.
The challenge, which began in May from Largs Yacht Haven, was run by the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.
Young people aged between 10 and 30 visited 58 towns and cities during the 17 legs of the race.
They were on board the trust’s 44-foot voyage yacht, Moonspray, which sailed into Largs at the weekend, marking the end of Round Britain ’17.
Family, friends and trust supporters welcome the crew home. Credit: onEdition
The aim of the challenge was not only to sail Britain’s coastline, but to rebuild the confidence, self-belief and independence of the young people on board.
Ryan Campbell, 22 from Gourock, was on board for the final leg from Belfast to Largs and had the pleasure of helming Moonspray as they sailed back across the finish line on Saturday (23 September).
He summed up what the experience meant to him: “I feel absolutely honoured to be involved in the last leg of Round Britain. It’s such an amazing cause and there’s nothing else like it out there. It’s not focussed on being ill, it’s about surpassing what you think you can’t do and everyone rises to the occasion,” he said.
Emotional homecoming. Credit: onEdition
Ryan first sailed with the trust in 2014 after treatment for osteosarcoma at CLIC Sargent Scotland and Beatson West of Scotland Cancer Centre.
He continued: “I come back to the Trust because it’s something I fully believe in. I can see the difference in the other young people by the end of the trip. At the beginning, we’re all quite quiet and shy and by the end we’re so vibrant.”
Round Britain ’17 visited a range of cities and ports including Aberdeen, Newcastle, Belfast, Bristol, London, Dartmouth and Liverpool.
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The crew also visited 13 cancer treatment centres around the UK, meeting young people in recovery and helped raise awareness of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.
Commenting on the success of the challenge, Dame Ellen MacArthur, said: “It’s been fantastic following all the adventures of the young people during Round Britain 2017. It’s an amazing journey to sail around Britain and I want to say a massive thank you to everyone who’s made it happen.:
“It has massively helped us raise the profile of the trust; for every young person we can take sailing, there are nine we can’t, so in any way you can, please do help to support us,” she added.
17 May 2017
Final preparations are underway ahead of the start of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust’s Round Britain ’17.
The 2,400 miles relay race around the British coastline will involve 100 young people in recovery from cancer.
It starts on Saturday (20 May) from the trust’s Scottish base at Largs Yacht Haven.
Throughout the relay, which runs from May to September, the trust’s 44-foot voyage yacht, Moonspray, will visit over 60 coastal towns and cities with five different young people joining the crew for each leg.
To ensure the crew have the best possible experience whilst navigating over 2,400 miles of offshore sailing in the UK’s changeable weather, exact stopover plans will be finalised closer to each arrival date.
At every stage during Round Britain ’17 the trust will be inviting local communities to be a part of the adventure.
Since the trust’s inception 14 years ago, it has supported 1,559 young people in recovery from cancer.
However, for every one young person the trust can support there are nine they cannot. This ambitious team challenge aims to change that by encouraging more people to get involved.
The route of Round Britain ’17
Those wishing to follow Round Britain ’17 and the progress of the boat and crew can use the live tracker on the trust’s website.
10 January 2017
Further details will be released by Dame Ellen MacArthur later today about a new project – Round Britain 2017.
Run by the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, the challenge will see 100 young people in recovery from cancer sailing around Britain in a national relay, “celebrating achievement and realising potential”.
It will take place over four months and will see the crew, aged between eight and 24, visit towns and ports around the UK.
Speaking ahead of the launch at the London Boat Show, Dame Ellen said: “Round Britain is about a lot more than sailing – it is about rebuilding the confidence, self-belief and independence of those involved – bringing back in to focus positive options which have been unimaginable during treatment.”
Recovering from the long-term impacts of treatment extend far beyond the physical for many children.
Research shows that 90% of young people in recovery from cancer feel isolated and over 60% are worried about the impact on their education or future employment.
The trust believes that by providing the opportunity to participate in a team activity alongside peers with similar experiences will help individuals improve their ability to plan a future.
Ann, a young person who has sailed with the trust over several years, said: “It was so easy to talk to the other young people. We were a close-knit team who spent a lot of time together and I could really open up. I knew they understood what I was saying without me having to explain it.”
“The friendships are different to my other friendships; more intimate because we all have this thing in common only we know. My teachers saw the change in me. I was more easy going, I joined more clubs and was getting other people to join in too. I stopped being the kid in the corner,” she stressed.
Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust: sailing back to health
From May to September, Round Britain 2017 will visit over 60 towns and ports where the crew, many sailing in their local area, will take part in events and activities, catch up with others who have been supported by the trust over the past 14 years and visit friends and supporters throughout the UK.
At every stage during Round Britain 2017 the trust will be inviting local communities to be a part of the adventure.
Since the trust’s inception 14 years ago, it has supported 1,559 young people in recovery from cancer.
However, for every one young person the trust can support there are nine they cannot. This ambitious team challenge aims to change that by encouraging more people to get involved.
Dame Ellen urged everyone to become part of the adventure.
“The trust aims to rebuild young people’s confidence through positive, shared experiences. The local welcomes to the crew, wherever you are in the UK will be a huge part of this experience,” she stressed.
“We would love everyone to be part of the adventure and get involved, every individual moment, throughout the UK will make difference. And to ensure we can reach more young people who need support in the future, please share our story on social media,” added Dame Ellen.