Ellen MacArthur was joined by special guests, including many who have made the new boat possible, for the naming of the Beneteau Oceanis 46.1, Kalooki, at Buckler's Hard on the banks of the Beaulieu River in Hampshire.
At 46ft (over 14m), Kalooki is longer and wider than the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust's other boats, allowing more young people to experience its transformational adventures, while bespoke accessibility adaptations mean more of those who need additional support with their mobility can benefit from the charity's support.
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.
Through the generosity of a gentleman, who was an ardent sailor and who enthusiastically supported the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust over many years, the charity is absolutely delighted to be the recipient of this newly built 46ft yacht Kalooki. It is with much heartfelt appreciation and great expectation Kalooki is officially named today.
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust worked in partnership with Ancasta Group, Europe's largest yacht broker, and globally renowned boatbuilders Beneteau, to bring Kalooki to the water.
SteventonShe was adapted under the expertise of Ancasta Yacht Services at Port Hamble Marina and with advice from 28-year-old George Paxford, who first sailed with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust in 2009 following treatment for bone cancer in his leg and had an above-knee amputation after the cancer returned in 2018.
Dame Ellen MacArthur described Kalooki as a 'game-changer' as her charity aims to support more young people than ever this summer.
She said: "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."
Young people will get to experience the benefits of Kalooki when the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust's 2025 season gets under way in the last week of May. She will also be taking part in this summer's Round The Island Race. For more information visit www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org or follow @EMCTrust across social.
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