2024 Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust Award

In July 2024, the Jo Walters Trust paid for a crew of young people to sail from Largs with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust with a donation of £4,026. This wonderful charity helps inspire young people to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer through the magic of the Trust’s sailing and outdoor adventures.

As the EMCT says, 'When a young person gets the ‘all clear’, there is an expectation of happiness and returning to ‘normal’. But what is their ‘normal’ now? Their whole world has changed. The future can feel daunting and overwhelming. Cancer can have a big impact on a young person’s mental wellbeing beyond treatment which is why when treatment ends, their work begins.

“After my trip, I feel like I can do anything. I got through cancer so now I can just do anything. On my trips, I feel like I can explain how I feel and not feel judged. The friends I’ve made here know me a bit more because friends at home don’t know what I’ve been through so its hard to talk to them about it.” Seren, 10.

Our donation funded spaces for young people from Scotland aged 8-17 to take part in a five day return sailing trip from their base in Largs in July 2024.

 We are so grateful to Dame Ellen MacArthur for so kindly recording a message of thanks to all the supporters of the Jo Walters Trust who helped achieve this grant, you can watch it here