Luke Patience named Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust’s newest ambassador

Olympic sailor Luke Patience joins the likes of Shirley Robertson and Volvo Ocean Race CEO Mark Turner as ambassador for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust

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Leading 470 sailor, Luke Patience, who was part of Team GB in the last two Olympic Games, is now an ambassador for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.

The 30-year-old 2012 silver medallist recently joined the crews taking part in the trust’s Round Britain 2017 voyage.

Organised by the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, this national relay involving over 100 young people in recovery from cancer will be visiting over 60 towns and ports around the British Isles over the next four months.

Young people in white tops on the dock with Pudsey

The Round Britain 2017 crew in Glasgow. Credit: Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust

Luke, originally from Aberdeen but now based in Southampton, joined some of the young people taking part across the first few legs.

“Having raced all my life, being part of something like this is new ground for me,” commented Patience on his new appointment.

“It’s so humbling and I would love to think that I can give something back to people that need it through a sport that has given me so much,” he added.

Luke Patience will be joining a group of patrons and ambassadors for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust which include Radio 1 DJ and Bestival curator Rob da Bank, Volvo Ocean Race CEO Mark Turner, double Olympic gold medallist Shirley Robertson and Luke’s fellow British Sailing Team colleague Charlotte Dobson.

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“I am delighted to be part of something that has become closer to my heart of late,” said Patience.

“I’ve seen the amazing work the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust do over many years and it’s an honour to now be involved as one of their ambassadors. I’m constantly inspired by the young people,” he stated.

Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust’s chief executive, Frank Fletcher, explained how excited the charity is to have the Olympian involved: “We are so delighted to have Luke onboard and know he will be a fantastic ambassador for the trust with his vibrant personality being a great fit.”

“We are all looking forward to working with him and are grateful for his commitment to help us work with more young people in recovery from cancer,” added Fletcher.

Hoping to make a difference, Luke Patience said he will be actively involved, whenever he can, by joining sailing trips and promoting the work of the trust at fundraising events.

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a national charity that takes young people, aged between eight and 24 from across the UK, on sailing and other water-based adventures to help them rebuild their confidence after cancer treatment.

In its 14th year, the trust has grown beyond every expectation into a national charity, working with every young person Principal Treatment Centre and a growing number of Designated Units.