Setting Sail for Brighter Futures with EMCT

The Ancasta Group is proud to support the incredible work of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, helping young people rebuild their
confidence, independence and optimism through and beyond cancer.

Following the handover of a new Beneteau Oceanis 47, specially adapted for accessibility, our Sales Director, Stuart Brotherton, in-house Beneteau specialist, James Douch, and Ancasta Yacht Services Project Manager, James O’Callaghan, joined an EMCT voyage on the Solent to find out firsthand how these sailing adventures bring back joy, inspire new friendships and create unforgettable memories. Playing even a small part in that journey is a genuine privilege.

13 August 2026

This weekend I was lucky enough to be invited to join the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust on one of their sailing trips with some of the young people they support. It was very humbling to see what they achieve as a Trust, and how they really do bring these young people out of themselves when they are clearly going through, or have been through, some very tough times.

We joined the five boats at Lymington Yacht Haven, where the crews were all busy making cakes for the baking competition, which my two colleagues and I had the pleasure of judging much later in the day!

We then headed down to the green in Lymington, near the Yacht Club, where we played rounders, football and giant Jenga, and generally just had a good run around and a very good laugh.

My colleague James Douch, who is part of the RNLI crew in Lymington, was with us that day, so he got us all into the Lymington lifeboat station and gave everyone a talk about the RNLI and the lifeboat they have there, which was very well received.

We then headed out of Lymington Yacht Haven and into the Western Solent, where we had a great time tacking up past Hurst Castle and on towards The Needles. The boats have been customised to encourage the young people to get involved in the sailing, and those on the boat I was on were certainly very keen to get stuck in, which was great to see.

We then had a lovely, peaceful sail downwind towards Cowes. However, just before rounding the headland, the fun really began. The crews all took up positions on deck with giant water pistols in hand, ready to deliver watery punishment to the other boats as we passed one another over and over again in a port-to-port procession.

As a guest, I would say I was unfairly – or perhaps fairly – targeted and took heavy fire time after time! It was a huge amount of fun, and I could see why the skippers and regular crews had been so excited to get up to Cowes and unleash hell on the other boats.

Once the skippers expertly navigated the yachts against the tide and into East Cowes Marina, the young people reached for their buckets and crabbing lines. I think the crabs were all asleep, as none were caught, but once again a lot of fun was had.

We then all headed ashore, bake-off entries in hand, for the BBQ in the events tent outside the EMCT office. Food was plentiful and more games followed, including giant Jenga and noughts and crosses.

My colleagues and I then had the task of tasting and judging the bake-off entries. Each crew also had to present their creation, and it was up to us to decide how to judge the competition. So, as there were five entries, we decided there should be five categories. Suffice to say, everyone was a winner!

I feel very lucky to have been out sailing with the Trust and to finally see first-hand the joy that comes from the trips they take the young people on. The young people had all begun the trip quietly, keeping to themselves, but by the time we joined them on day three, it felt as though they had all been friends for years. It was a lovely environment to be part of.

And as for the Trust itself, you genuinely could not hope to meet a lovelier, more caring or more dedicated team. Whether it be the skippers, crews, medics or any of the ground crew, nothing is too much trouble. Their focus is entirely on the young people, making sure everyone is happy, safe, well cared for and, most importantly, having a great time.

For anyone not familiar with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust and what they do, I would urge you to visit their website and get involved in any way you can. Whether that is by supporting them financially or dedicating some of your time, there are many ways to help.