Round the Island’s ‘90 in 90’ call
Dame Ellen MacArthur is calling on Round the Island Race (RTIR) sailors to inspire young people to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer by raising £90 in honour of the event’s 90th anniversary.
The ‘race for all’, run by Island Sailing Club, will see yachts of all sizes competing around the Isle of Wight on 3 July.
Since becoming the official race charity in 2005, some £299,266 has been raised for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, making a huge difference to hundreds of young lives.
Young people need support more than ever as COVID-19 has amplified the isolation, loneliness and anxiety they have experienced. The Trust will be supporting them in-person this summer, on regional day sails and five-day cruising and residential trips.
Dame Ellen said: “Round the Island Race have been incredible Trust supporters over the past 16 years and I have so many great memories from the race and the crews of young people who have sailed with us in it over the years.
“My favourite recollection was finishing the race after quite a windy one. We all met up on the dock after finishing, and everyone was absolutely stoked. It was a really special feeling.”
Dan Monk, who was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia aged 15 in 2002, said: “I honestly believe sailing and the Round the Island Race saved my life. Two days before I was due to sail with the Trust in the 2005 race, I discovered I had relapsed and needed a bone marrow transplant. When I was in hospital the thought of being back sailing in the next year’s race was what kept me going. To then be skippering for the Trust in the race exactly 10 years after my relapse made it a very emotional day for me.”
justgiving.com/campaign/ RoundTheIsland2021