Thousands of young people living through and beyond cancer have benefitted from life-changing Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust sailing and outdoor adventures across 15 magical years thanks to monumental support from Postcode Lottery players.
The milestone was marked earlier this month with a visit from some of the Postcode Lottery team to the charity’s base in Largs on Scotland’s west coast for a celebratory sailing day.
Funds raised by Postcode Lottery players have had a profound impact on what Dame Ellen MacArthur’s charity for young people has been able to achieve since 2011.
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a national charity that takes young people aged 8-24 on sailing and outdoor adventures to inspire them to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer.
Clara Govier, Managing Director at Postcode Lottery, joined the charity in Largs for the anniversary. She said: “I first saw the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and the true magic that it does probably 15 years ago when I was very lucky to go on one of the trips from Cowes with a group of young people.
“When the young people went on the boats, they were slightly traumatised, they’d really lost their confidence, they didn’t have a lot of friends. But when they came off the boat they were like different people. They were actually kids, they were having fun. And I think that’s truly what the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust does – it delivers hope.”
Back in 2011, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust’s base in Largs did not exist, the charity did not have its own specially adapted yachts, and it was taking around 300 young people on sailing and outdoor adventures each year.
In 2013, thanks to Postcode Lottery players, the charity ran its first sailing trip from Largs. With a base on the Isle of Wight and one in Scotland, more young people from across the UK were more easily able to experience the freedom and joy of a sailing adventure.
Caledonian Hero and Solent Hero, the charity’s yachts, arrived in 2016 and 2017 respectively, named in honour of the Hero’s Fund. Both are specially adapted, opening sailing up to more young people with mobility or visual impairments.
Since 2021, after the charity’s sailing and outdoor activity resumed following COVID-19’s restrictions in 2020, which saw its support shift online, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust has continued to grow its year-round activities, year-round wellbeing support, volunteering pathways, and equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging learning designed to help every young person feel like they belong, all thanks to Postcode Lottery players.
Today, more than 650 young people feel the magic of the charity’s transformational trips every year.
Reflecting on 15 remarkable years, Dame Ellen MacArthur said: “Hundreds of young people’s lives every year have been changed by players of the Postcode Lottery. Thanks to players, they’ve rediscovered joy, connected with others who understand, and embraced life again. Put simply, players have changed young people’s lives. Thank you for inspiring them to believe in their brighter future.”
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is there for anyone looking for support, no matter how long off treatment they are. Visit ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org or follow @emctrust on social media.
In 2025, Postcode Lottery players raised over £236 Million for charities and good causes across Great Britain and beyond.
