Winner of limited edition autographed Clipper Race jacket revealed

At the London Race Finish, official Clipper Race charity, The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust offered the chance to win the ultimate race memento – a one of a kind Henri Lloyd jacket, autographed by Dame Ellen MacArthur and Sir Robin Knox-Johnston.

Dame Ellen drew winner Lynne Madgwick, from Fareham from the raffle ticket entries, with all proceeds going directly to The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.

Commenting on her prize win, Lynne said:  “I cannot believe that I have actually won the jacket signed by two people who I most admire and find totally inspirational. Not only for their great achievements and drive but also for their dedication to sailing and to helping young people.

“The Clipper Race alone is a massive undertaking and to organise and manage that is a mammoth task and yet Sir Robin still continues to complete this and is still organising other sailing challenges for himself even at the grand age of 75. Dame Ellen has also inspired me immensely due to her sailing career and her dedication to the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.

“My son was diagnosed with nine mini tumours on his brain last year and is due to have an eight hour operation today which could leave him paralysed. He is 29 and has two young children but with the support of a special trust we have been privileged enough to gain the support of the top Neurosurgeon in the country who will be leading the operation. I liken this to the support and difference the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust must make to people’s lives, which is why I whole heartedly support the charity and admire immensely the work that Ellen has done for the cancer charity, the reason I added my donation initially.

“I had no idea that I would win the jacket. It means the world to me and it will take pride of place in my house. I have been an avid follower of the Clipper Race from the beginning and my partner has always wanted to take part so who knows, maybe we might end up fulfilling another dream by completing the race one day.

“Without people such as Sir Robin Knox-Johnston and Dame Ellen MacArthur and without the inspirational work they do the world would be a very different place and I admire them so much and wish them luck and hope they continue their great work for many years and I know there will be a lot of people who will benefit as a result.” 

Lynne also received a personal voice message from the trusts patron, Dame Ellen MacArthur, thanking her for her support:

“Congratulations to Lynne for winning the jacket, I hope you enjoy it and that it reminds you of the Trust and the work that we do with the inspirational young people.”

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust gives young people in recovery from cancer the chance to rebuild their confidence through sailing. It works with every young person’s primary cancer care unit in the UK, taking young people aged between 8 and 24 years old sailing, while they are in recovery from cancer.

Announced as the official charity of the Clipper 2013-14 Race in October 2012, over £23,000 has been raised for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust during the 40,000 mile challenge. The money raised throughout the Clipper Race will enable the Trust to take an additional 43 young people in recovery from cancer on a four day sailing trip.

To find out more about the charity, visit www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org