To mark Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September, Musto has commissioned a short film about the work of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.
The film features young people whose lives have been affected by cancer and explains how sailing with the Trust impacted on their recovery and changed their lives.
Documentary makers spent a day sailing off Cowes with a Trust crew including 22-year-old Macy Boyling, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at just 6 years old; 19-year-old Emily Wright who had an Optic Pathway Glioma aged 9; and Romy Rundle, aged 18, who had Osteosarcoma in her knee at the age of 14. They were joined by Ellen herself who explains how the charity came about and the impact it has had, ahead of the crew competing in the Round The Island Race.
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust was founded by Ellen almost 20 years ago. It is a national charity that inspires young people aged eight to 24 to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer. Cancer can have a big impact on a young person’s mental wellbeing and the Trust offers the opportunity to learn sailing and to become part of a crew, as well as outdoor adventure.
Macy Boyling said:
“Through the Trust I got ‘me’ back. Before that I was ‘Macy who had cancer’, but through sailing with the Trust I met people who felt the same as me and had gone through the same things I had. They’re a huge family and helped me get to where I am today. There’s always constant support, even now I’m returning as a volunteer. They’re still there every step of the way for whatever help or reassurance I need. It is the best thing I’ve ever done and I don’t think I would be here or be anywhere near where I am today without the Trust ”
My plan is to do my Day Skipper alongside my degree and then my Yacht Masters qualification. Ultimately I would love to skipper for the Trust each summer.”
Dame Ellen MacArthur said:
“I had the chance to sail with a French charity that did exactly what the Trust does back in the year 2000. And I was absolutely blown away by the spirit of the young people. It had a massive and profound effect on me. When I finished my first round-the-world, I realized that there was nothing like that in this country. And that’s why we set up the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust; to give that same spirit the chance to thrive. There’s some magic that happens on those trips. It really does help those young people to step out of their illness.”
For the month of September, which is Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, all donations made to the Trust by Musto customers in-store will be matched by Musto.
The film can be watched here:
