Patrons and Ambassadors

Patrons

Admiral Lord Michael Boyce

The former Chief of Defence Staff and First Sea Lord was Sail 4 Cancers first appointed Patron. After a distinguished career in the Royal Navy and the Ministry of Defence, Lord Boyce is helping Sail 4 Cancer by raising the profile of the charity as well as hosting events.

Ben Ainslie OBE

Ben is one of Britain's most successful ever Olympic sailors, aiming to win his third successive Olympic Gold in Beijing in 2008. With Olympic medals, World and European Championships Ben has cemented himself as one of the top sailors. If this was not enough in between Olympic campaigns he has been involved in the Americas Cup and is currently a member of the Emirates Team New Zealand. Ben is involved with Sail 4 Cancer from sailing with patients to attending fundraising functions where possible.

“I am honoured to have been invited to be a Patron of Sail 4 Cancer, having regularly watched them at sailing events tirelessly raising funds for cancer treatment and research. The work Sail 4 Cancer carries out to take cancer patients and their families out on the water is only to be admired. I hope as a Patron I can help to raise more awareness and support for this deserving sailing charity.”

Dee Caffari

Dee is a huge inspiration to many people in the UK as in May 2006 she became the first solo female to circumnavigate the globe, non stop, against the prevailing winds and currents. Dee started her career as a secondary school PE teacher before moving into the world of sailing, which led to her joining the Global Challenge Round the World Race in 2004/5 and this is when she became inspired with the idea that she could do this solo. Dee sailed into the record books twice more in 2009. On February 16th she became the first woman to circumnavigate the globe, single handed, non stop both ways. Then on 17th June she and her all-female crew broke the world record for sailing around the Britain and Ireland - beating the previous record by a staggering 17 hours and 16 minutes.

Dee says, “It is an honour to have been asked to be a patron to Sail 4 Cancer; I am looking forward to becoming actively involved, both in forms of fundraising and contributing towards the future growth of the charity.”

Nick Moloney

A talented and professional sailor who has raced at the top level of the sport for over a decade, including the Whitbread, America's Cup, Vendee Globe and Jules Vernes. Nick joined Offshore Challenges Sailing Team to pursue his sailing career and as a result competed in the Vendee Globe 2004. Nick came on board as Patron in 2003 and has had a very active role: from sailing with patients to fundraising for the charity

Ambassadors

Phil Sharp
Phil Sharp, at 25 years old, is Britain's most promising up and coming offshore yachtsman. He recently triumphed in the notorious Route du Rhum 2006 solo transat race, taking victory in Class 40 and finishing nearly a whole day ahead of his rivals. Phil is the first Britain to win his class in this event since Dame Ellen MacArthur, and he steps firmly into her shoes as the next big hope in offshore sailing. Phil is based in Jersey and is now working towards competing in the Open 60 class and the Vendee Globe.

Laura Baldwin
Laura is a British Olympian and her story is one of determination and inspiration, with a late start in her sailing career Laura learnt what a 'wind shift' was and the basics of yacht racing whilst on a sailing holiday in 1998. Six years later Laura represented Team GB at the Olympic Games in Athens 2004. Ranked 2nd in the world in the summer of 2006 Laura is training hard to qualify for the 2008 Beijing Olympics. When off the water Laura is under the wing of the BBC, learning the skills needed for a future in Sports Broadcasting.

“I am proud to support Sail 4 Cancer. This charity couldn't be closer to my heart, for having lost friends to this disease and for my love of sailing. I think the team does a wonderful job, it's really touching the great work they do. I look forward to being a part of the Sail 4 Cancer team and will embrace my role as an Ambassador.”

Rhys Jones
Rhys is an ambitious mountaineer and on his 20th Birthday stood on the summit of Mount Everest and claimed the world record as the youngest person to climb the highest peak on each continent, known as the Seven Summits Challenge. Not scared of an adventure, Rhys has also taken to the sea and completed the Round Britain and Ireland Race 2006 on an open 40 with a professional crew. Rhys is always looking for new challenges and will be taking the plunge for Sail 4 Cancer in the future with the aim to raise funds.


Rachel Howe
A dedicated youth sailor, Rachel is representing Sail 4 Cancer on the Olympic circuit in the Yngling keel boat class. Spending 365 days a year dedicated to becoming an Olympian, Rachel appreciates just how privileged she is to be healthy and going for gold in 2012 and is proud to be an ambassador. Rachel is enthusiastic about supporting Sail 4 Cancer in every way possible, taking time out to sail with families as well as attending functions and fundraising in between training.

For further information:

Email: click here
Web: www.sail4cancer.org
Tel: +44 (0)845 408 1849