Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust boosted by Oxfordshire family's sail

Simon Hunt, his brother and two cousins participated in the Three Rivers Race on the Norfolk Broads, raising £5,312 for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.

The inland sailing race saw more than 100 vessels navigating 50 miles on the Rivers Bure, Ant and Thorne within 24 hours.

Simon Hunt and his crew during the race (Image: Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust)

The course involves the lowering of masts to negotiate low bridges and sailing without the use of engines.

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, established by retired sailor Dame Ellen MacArthur, takes young people aged eight to 24 on sailing and outdoor adventures to inspire them to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer.

Mr Hunt said: "Sadly cancer has been in our family recently and so was at the forefront of our minds around the time we decided to take part in the race.

"My brother James is a professional yacht captain and had heard of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.

The Three Rivers Race (Image: Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust)

"A sailing charity supporting young people recovering from cancer treatment just seemed like an absolutely perfect fit for a 24-hour boat race."

Young people who are diagnosed with cancer are often left with fewer friends, struggle with relationships and their education, miss out on work experience and develop body image issues once their treatment has finished.

The trust works to help them to regain a sense of self-worth and optimism about the future.

Mr Hunt continued: "The boat we were sailing was very kindly donated to us for the race by Martham Boats, a local family-run boatyard on the Norfolk Broads.

"We broke the mast this year in dramatic fashion and were forced to retire from the race, so we all have unfinished business with this one.

"The whole crew was absolutely gutted but for a few short hours, it was still some of the best sailing we have ever done.

One of the trust's flagship yachts - Solent Hero (Image: Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust)

"We’ll be back summer 2025 and this time we’ll finish the race."

Dame Ellen MacArthur, founder and patron of the charity, added: "We see it time and time again.

"Young people arrive anxious and isolated. But they leave feeling part of something, accepted, independent, and optimistic.

"We are only able to support as many young people as we do thanks to the players of People’s Postcode Lottery.

"Because of them, thousands of young lives have been transformed after cancer through life-changing sailing and outdoor activity adventures.

“This summer we will welcome hundreds of young people from right across the UK who need post-treatment support. We will be there for them and they will believe in a brighter future.”