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In January 2003 Ellen MacArthur set up her trust after sailing with a group of children, suffering from Cancer & Leukaemia, in France before the Vendée Globe round-the-world race. This trip was organised by a French Charity called ‘A Chacun son Cap’ (roughly translated as “Everyone has a goal”). After having such a fun day out with these children and realising that the every day efforts they had to go through were far more challenging than anything she would choose to put herself through and they were still smiling at the end of the day, she decided that she wanted to do her part and set up a UK equivalent of the French charity.

The Ellen MacArthur Trust was established and now sees children aged between 8 and 18 regain their confidence after suffering from a serious illness through the joys of sailing.

“These are really special kids. In many ways they are just the same as everyone else, they are interested in the same things as kids their age, they have the same goals in life, but the difference is that they do this with a huge challenge ahead of them.

I face challenges out on the water, but these are challenges that I choose to do. They on the other hand don’t have this luxury. They battle against something harder than many of us could ever imagine and they do it with the biggest smiles on their faces. To me they are truly inspirational and if the Ellen MacArthur Trust can help them in their battle in anyway then that is a fantastic achievement.”

In 2005, Double Olympic medallist Shirley Robertson became a Patron of the trust, and together they hope to expand their sailing trips into the Scottish borders. Both Ellen and Shirley sometimes try to join each of the trips, where they take the children sailing for four days. They sail 38 – 45ft cruising yachts which are ideal for groups of children, they stay in a different port each night, where the children and the crew sleep on the yacht.

Sailing gives the children the perfect opportunity to challenge themselves in a safe and supportive environment, giving them an experience like no other. Emotions from adrenalin, adventure, excitement and a sense of achievement, to peacefulness, calmness and sheer tranquility are experienced: Giving them the chance to realise their goals, short or long term.

Once I have completed my fundraising, training and returned from the Round the World yacht race, not only do I hope to give a considerable amount to the trust but I will also be offering my spare time, to help teach the children to sail or at least giving the trust a spare pair of hands.

I hope that you, like I have, see this as an excellent opportunity to help a really good cause. If you have ever had the opportunity to go sailing you will already know what an inspiration sailing can make to these children's lives.