The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust has bought its first yacht based in Scotland, following support from players of the People's Postcode Lottery.

For the first time, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust now has a yacht based in Scotland.

It will operate out of the charity’s newest base in Largs, which opened in 2013.

The trust received £200,000 from players of the People’s Postcode Lottery to invest into a yacht in January.

It is hoped the new vessel will allow the trust to better support young people from the North of England and Scotland with mobility issues resulting from their cancer treatment.

The Largs base is now in its third summer of operations.

However, so far the trips have been run using chartered vessels which has limited the trust’s flexibility.

It also has an ongoing cost.

“This new yacht will allow us to provide a better experience for our young people with mobility issues from Northern England and Scotland,” explained the chief executive of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, Frank Fletcher.

“It will also make operations more cost efficient as the number of vessels needing to be chartered will be reduced,” he stated.

Since 2013, the players of People’s Postcode Lottery have raised £750,000 for the trust.

Following advice from yacht brokers, Ancasta, the trust has selected a Beneteau Oceanis 45.

This was due to specific design features of this yacht such as a stern which lowers to pontoon level.

Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust has bought its first yacht for Scotland

The new yacht will be based in Scotland. Credit: Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust/Facebook

 

Its steady cruising capabilities is also ideal for young people whose mobility has suffered as result of their cancer.

“The trust would like to thank the players of People’s Postcode Lottery for allowing us this opportunity and also for their long term continued support,” said Fletcher.

“It has and will continue to make a lasting impact on the experience of many of our young people.”

The chief executive also thanked Ancasta and Beneteau for “supporting the trust in this purchase, through the discount they provided and the care they have taken in the process to ensure that the needs of our young people are met.”

“In particular a big thank you to Nick Griffith the Managing Director of Ancasta who, without his support this would not have been possible,” added Fletcher.

The newly purchased Beneteau has now made its way to Hamble, on the south coast, where Hamble Yachts Services will further adapt the boat to suit the young people’s disabilities.

Key modifications include the fitting of extra hand rails and altering the cabin space to make a more accessible social area.

It will be made ready for trips by spring 2017.

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