A Largs based charity is really taking sail now thanks to the arrival of a new yacht which will better support young people with mobility issues after cancer treatment.

This is an important purchase for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust as it will improve the quality of the experience for those with mobility issues.

Dame Ellen MacArthur founded the trust with the aim of rebuilding young people's confidence in their recovery from cancer through sailing. They opened their Largs base in 2013.

The Trust supports a number of young people who have suffered from brain tumours and sarcomas, treatment of which affects their coordination, balance or may result in an amputation, limiting their ability to move around a boat.

Dame Ellen MacArthur joined Ash Overton of Ancasta, and Head of Charities Clara Govier from People's Postcode Lottery on the boat at the 2016 Southampton Boat Show to receive the keys.

Modifications made by Hamble Yacht Services Refit and Repairs to the boat, such as the fitting of extra handrails and altering the cabin space, will allow young people with these issues to have a better quality experience. The stern of the boat also lowers to pontoon height to enable easier access when the young people are embarking and disembarking from the boat.

The purchase was made possible after the Trust received an additional £200,000 at the People's Postcode Lottery Charity Gala from players of People's Postcode Lottery to invest into a yacht to improve the experience of young people at their newest base at Largs Yacht Haven which opened in early 2013.

With advice and support from Beneteau, Ancasta and Hamble Yacht Services Refit and Repair the boat was carefully selected, purchased and modified to best support the requirements of the Trust's young people.

Ellen expressed the charity's gratitude, "It's been a big day for the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, it's a step that wouldn't have been possible without the massive support from players of People's Postcode Lottery, the Ancasta Group, and Beneteau, so a huge thank you!" She continued, "A magnificent job really has been done".

Further to this, the yacht will expand the Trust's capacity to be able to offer 'Day Sails' for the families of young people who are too ill to join the four day trips.

Ancasta, the largest yacht brokers in Europe, have supported the Trust from the start of the purchase process enabling them to secure the Beneteau Oceanis 45.

The yacht will now make its way up to the Largs base where it will join the Trust's operations ready to start the sailing season in spring 2017.

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a national organisation set up by internationally renowned yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur that gives young people in recovery from cancer the opportunity to take part in sailing trips to rebuild their confidence.