Dame Ellen MacArthur to welcome charity ambassador and Clipper Race crews back to London
Back to archivePatron of the race’s official charity, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, Dame Ellen MacArthur, is getting ready to welcome Leg 8 ambassador Lucie Carrington and all the crews back into London.
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust will be in the Race Village on the weekend to spread the word about their aim to give young people between the ages of 8 and 24 who are in recovery from cancer the opportunity to take part in a experience - sailing.
At just 15 Lucie Carrington, from Lancaster, was diagnosed with a Ewing’s Sarcoma, a rare bone and soft tissue cancer, in her left arm. Having first been invited to join the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust after finishing treatment in 2011, Lucie took part in a four-day sailing trip and now volunteers for the charity.
With the trips inspiring a love for the sport, Lucie decided to take on a bigger challenge and put herself forward for the Clipper Race selection process in December 2012, beating stiff competition to win the chance to take part. Also welcoming in Lucie will be Kristie Reid, 20, from Aberdeen who took part in Leg 1 of the race as an EMCT Ambassador, leaving St Katharine Docks last year. Kristie was diagnosed with Biphasic Synovial Sarcoma in August 2009, a rare type of cancer formed in the joint of her left shoulder.
At Race Start last year, each team was given an EMCT hand puppet which has acted as a mascot during the race and helped keep the children’s hospital wards that work with the Trust updated on their 11 month voyage. Dame Ellen will be on stage at prizegiving to award the prize for the best overall EMCT mascot of the race series to the winning team.
If you want to find out more about Lucie and Kristie’s experience they will be available at the Trust’s stand at 16:00 for an informal Q&A session.
You can also test your strength on the Harken grinder at the Trust’s stand, and there is the chance to win the ultimate race memento – a one of a kind Clipper Race Henri Lloyd jacket autographed by legendary UK sailors, Dame Ellen MacArthur and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.
For as little as £5 you can enter the raffle for a chance to win this unique jacket and all proceeds from the sale go to the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. The winner will be drawn and announced by Dame Ellen herself at the Trust’s stand at 16:15.
To buy a raffle ticket for the chance to win, visit:
To find out more about the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust visit: http://www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org/