Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust Launches New Beneteau Oceanis 46.1

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust has officially welcomed a new addition to its south coast fleet – Kalooki.

Generously donated in memory of a long-standing supporter and donor of the charity, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust worked in partnership with Ancasta Group and Beneteau to acquire the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1.

This donation enables the charity to extend its reach, giving more young people aged 8-24 the chance to rediscover their independence and build a brighter future after cancer.

As the fourth boat in the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust fleet, alongside Solent Hero, Caledonian Hero, and Moonspray, the specially adapted Beneteau Oceanis 46.1 will be based at East Cowes Marina on the Isle of Wight.

Dame Ellen MacArthur described Kalooki as a ‘game-changer’ as her charity aims to support more young people than ever this summer.

“It’s a big day for us at the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust as we welcome Kalooki into our fleet. It’s wonderful for us to have boats in the water so we can take young people out and have adventures with them, and it makes a huge difference to have Kalooki. She’s one of ours and she is a game-changer.

“I’d like to say a massive thank you to Jean-François Lair and all the team at Beneteau, and Nick Griffith and all the team at Ancasta. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all you’ve done. It’s amazing to have Kalooki in the fleet.” Dame Ellen MacArthur

Supporting the charity’s work with young people living through and beyond cancer, Kalooki will make her debut trip on Tuesday 27 May 2025, as part of a five-day South Coast Cruising adventure for young people under 18.

“We’re delighted to see Kalooki set sail, ready to help the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust reach even more young people. After facing so many challenges, these inspiring young individuals deserve the chance to reconnect with life, and themselves through sailing and outdoor adventures. Supporting this incredible mission is something that I, along with the entire team at Ancasta, feel deeply passionate about.”  Nick Griffith, Ancasta Group Managing Director

Custom Features

Before its launch, Kalooki, a Beneteau Oceanis 46.1, underwent a series of specialist modifications at Ancasta Yacht Services. Designed to make the yacht more accessible, these adaptations ensure every young person can fully participate in the charity’s transformational on-the-water experiences, regardless of their mobility needs.

Extra Cabins

Kalooki has five cabins compared to four on the Trust’s other yachts. This additional space means even more young people can embark on these confidence-boosting adventures.

More Privacy

Privacy has also been prioritised. Adaptable front sleeping cabins feature removable wooden dividers, providing flexible sleeping arrangements and maximising the use of space.

Spacious Cockpit & Saloon

The cockpit and saloon, the heart of the yacht’s social areas, have been expanded allowing young people to move around more easily. Additional handrails throughout the yacht also offer extra assistance and support when at sea.

Easy Stern Access

At the stern, the fold-down transom and removable custom seating, complete with additional handholds, make boarding and disembarking easier.

Accessible Sailing

Kalooki has been adapted with young sailors in mind. The boom is lower, making sail-handling more manageable, and winches have been repositioned for ease of use. Everyone, regardless of age, experience or physical ability, can enjoy the thrill of sailing the boat.

“Beneteau is proud to support Ellen MacArthur’s Cancer Trust. This is a long-term collaboration,which started nearly 10 years ago. What the charity is doing is remarkable. Also, Dame Ellen MacArthur is a very famous figure in France. So, when Nick Griffith from Ancasta proposed us to support the project, it was a very easy decision to make.” Jean-François Lair from Beneteau.

Expert Insights

To fine-tune Kalooki’s accessibility, the charity enlisted the expertise of volunteer George Paxford, who was first supported by the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust in 2009. In 2018, George had an above-knee amputation following a recurrence of osteosarcoma, a type of bone cancer. His firsthand experience made him an invaluable consultant in the adaptation process.

“I’ve had to get used to an adapted way of moving around, which makes me very useful when it comes to designing an adaptive boat,” explains George. “I was able to advise on where we might want handrails and ways of making sure Kalooki is accessible, so young people have a fantastic time like I did all the way back on my first trip.

“I looked to see if there are trip hazards, the need for grab rails, or access requirements, like if there is enough space for two people to get past or sit down. Anything that will reassure young people and make sure they have as much fun on trips as they possible can.

“The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust has come a long way from the early years of making do. We’re now able to adapt things so trips are more accessible to more people.

George, now 28, will return again as an Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust volunteer in 2025, joining a five-day sailing trip from the Isle of Wight.

A Legacy of Support

For many young people, cancer puts their lives on hold at a time when they should be exploring, growing, and embracing new experiences. The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust gives them the chance to reconnect with the world through sailing and outdoor adventures, restoring the hope, joy, and sense of possibility that cancer often takes away.

Frank Fletcher, CEO, said: “Today, 12 young people will hear they have cancer. Thankfully, the majority will finish treatment and be told they can get back to ‘normal’. But many of them won’t know what ‘normal’ is anymore, life around them has moved on and the future can feel daunting and overwhelming.

“That’s where we come in. We must be ready for those 12 young people. And the 12 diagnosed tomorrow. And the 12 every day after that. But right now, we can only support 1 in 10 of the young people who need us.

“We need your help to reach and be able to inspire more young people to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer.”

Support EMCT

We welcome you to help bring brighter futures to more young people by donating to the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust via ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org.

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a national charity that takes young people aged 8-24 living through and beyond cancer on sailing and outdoor adventure trips to inspire them to believe in a brighter future. In 2024, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust supported 671 young people – the most since it was founded in 2003.