Lancaster youngster sailing to cancer recovery

A Lancaster cancer survivor took part in a sailing trip to get to know other young people in recovery.

Adam Barton-Eccles joined the trip with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust for a four-day yacht adventure.

The 21-year-old finished cancer treatment in February 2016 for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

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He said: “It was great getting to know new people all with different types of cancer and we all got on really well.

“Life’s for living, life’s too short to not take chances. You only live once and it’s an opportunity you might not get again, so take it and go for it.”

For Adam, this was his first time sailing with the trust on the Firth of Clyde in Scotland.

Sailing onboard 42-48 foot cruising yachts, the trust trips provide a chance for the young people to test themselves in a safe and supportive environment, encouraging them to work as a team and get involved in everything from helming the boat to cooking.

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Departing from their Scottish base in Largs Yacht Haven on Monday, the young people navigated the waters of the Firth of Clyde and enjoyed various stop-overs including Port Bannatyne on the picturesque Isle of Bute, before putting their new skills to the test cruising back into Largs.

Launched in 2003, the aim of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is to give young people in recovery from cancer the chance to rebuild their confidence through sailing.

Dame Ellen MacArthur, who tries to spend a day on as many trips as possible, said: “The mental and social fall-out from cancer can be just as devastating as the physical illness.

“Everything we do is about building confidence, self-esteem and having fun together.”

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Now in its 13th year, the trust has grown into a national charity. Working with every young person at a Principal Treatment Centre and a growing number of designated units in the UK, they take young people aged between eight-24-years-old who are recovering from cancer on four-day sailing trips.

Find out how you can support the trust and help to make a real difference to young people’s live by visiting the website at www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org/.

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a national organisation which was set up by yachtswomen Ellen MacArthur after she was invited to go sailing with a group of young people with cancer, organised by French charity A Chacun son Cap.