The Ellen MacArthur Trust arrives in Scotland
The Ellen MacArthur Trust arrives in Scotland
The Ellen MacArthur Trust Skandia Round Britain Voyage of Discovery is about to arrive in Scotland. Having started from Cowes, Isle of Wight on 3rd May, 85 young people (12 from Scotland) are sailing the 48 foot yacht Scarlet Oyster the 2000 nautical miles around Britain on a four month voyage with one cause; to inspire young people's cancer recovery through sailing.
The Ellen MacArthur Trust Skandia Round Britain Voyage of Discovery will be arriving in Edinburgh on Wednesday 17th June 2009, mooring at Port Edgar marina & sailing school before heading up to Aberdeen through the Caledonian Canal and down to Largs as it circumnavigates Britain.
During its tour through Scotland the Ellen MacArthur Trust Skandia Round Britain Voyage of Discovery will visit many of Scotland's port cities to include:
- Edinburgh: 17th June 2009
- Aberdeen: 1st July 2009
- Inverness: 9th July 2009
- Fort William: 18th July 2009
- Largs: 25th June 2009
To coincide with the voyage record breaking British yachtswoman and the Trust's patron Dame Ellen MacArthur will be giving a series of public talks about her life and career. It will be the first time that Ellen has spoken publicly since her record breaking round the world voyage in 2005. Ellen will talk about her many experiences at sea, her work with the Ellen MacArthur Trust and her plans for the future.
The talks schedule is confirmed as:
- Edinburgh: Wednesday 17th June, Lecture Theatre 175, Old College, University of Edinburgh from 6.30 to 7.30pm
- Aberdeen: Tuesday 30th June, Aberdeen Christian Fellowship, Union Grove, Aberdeen from 6.30 to 7.30pm
- Inverness: Friday 10th July, Suite, The Caledonian Thistle Football Club Stadium, Stadium Road from 6.30-7.30pm
- Date for Largs arrival is 25th July 2009
- Glasgow: Monday 27th July, venue and times tbc
The young people taking part in this ‘Voyage of Discovery' have all previously sailed with the trust, those taking part from Scotland include:
- Jodie Waters, (18, Dumfries & Galloway) who will be sailing on leg 6 that leaves from Newcastle on 12th June arriving in Edinburgh 18th June,
- Chris Logan, (19 , Glasgow) who will be sailing on leg 7 that sails from Edinburgh on 25th June arriving in Aberdeen on 2nd July
- The Trust is also taking young people from Scottish hospitals sailing down through the Caledonian Canal; it will be their first experience sailing with the Trust. These young people will set sail from Inverness on 12th July and will arrive in Fort William on 19th July.
Into the Blue
Tel: 01983 203527
Mob: 07866 516380
Email: emma.mckinney@intotheblue.biz
Mimi Wilmot-Amies
Into the Blue
Tel: 01983 203 524
Mob: 0777 900 3364
Email: mimi.amies@intotheblue.biz
* When referring to the Voyage please use the full title ‘Ellen MacArthur Trust Skandia Round Britain voyage'
Daily conference calls will be made to the boat during the voyage. For media enquiries and for information on joining these calls please contact:
Emma McKinney
Into the Blue
Tel: 01983 203527
Mobile: 07866 516380
Email: emma.mckinney@intotheblue.biz
About The Ellen MacArthur Trust
Launched by Dame Ellen MacArthur in 2003, the Trust takes young people aged between 8-18 years sailing to help them regain their confidence on their way to recovery from cancer, leukaemia and other serious illness. The Ellen MacArthur Trust makes sailing accessible to children who, because of their illness would not otherwise be given the opportunity. Currently the Trust works with most of the young person's primary cancer care units in the UK and is aiming to engage with all of them by 2010.
The Trust has grown significantly since it began in 2003. During 2009 the Trust will be running 25 summer trips, participating in the JPMorgan Round the Island Race with two boats, participating in a residential dinghy week at Bradwell on Sea as well as organising and running the Ellen MacArthur Trust Skandia Round Britain Voyage of Discovery.
In Ellen's words "These children are truly amazing, they face experiences that no child should ever have to go through and yet they do it with the biggest smile on their faces, they are truly inspiring. If these trips can make a small difference to the children that join us then it is worth every penny, thank you to all our supporters we couldn't do it without you."
The Trust has two patrons Dame Ellen MacArthur and double Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson, both of whom will be taking part in the Round Britain voyage.
For further details on the Trust please visit www.ellenmacarthurtrust.org
About Ellen MacArthur
Dame Ellen MacArthur first hit the headlines in 2001 when she raced solo, non-stop around the world in the Vendée Globe when only 24 years old. In February 2005, she set a new solo, non-stop round the world record aboard her 75ft trimaran of 71 days, 14 hours, 18 minutes and 33 seconds. She has since been awarded numerous accolades, including a DBE from the Queen and a Légion d'Honneur from French President Nicolas Sarkozy.
Ellen is now a partner in BT Team Ellen, alongside other world-class sailors Sébastien Josse and Nick Moloney. The team is dedicated to success across a number of disciplines including the IMOCA Ocean Racing World Championships and the Extreme 40 catamaran series.
Aside from sailing, Ellen has a keen interest in sustainability and is working as an "agent for change" with businesses to discover how to make the transition towards a more sustainable future.
