Young cancer patients from Glasgow have been given a special summer day out, courtesy of The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.
The trust had organised for 14 young people, aged between 10 and 16, who have been treated for cancer at The Beatson Cancer Centre and the Royal Hospital for Children to take part in a three-day sailing extravaganza at Largs Marina.
The trip, which took place from July 12 until July 15, comes after many young people who have been diagnosed with cancer were forced to remain home during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ben Sinclair, 18, was diagnosed with papillary thyroid carcinoma when he was only 16-years-old.
He said: “I was grateful for the trip as an escape and a chance to get back into the world we knew before.
“I felt the trip was a great way to meet new people and distract yourself from the daily woes of COVID and cancer. Being part of a group in this way was exciting and a great confidence builder.
“My favourite part of the day was meeting new people and pushing myself to try something different - and accidentally catching a starfish.”
During the outing, part of the Trust's ‘Taste of the Trust’ 2021 programme, kids and teenagers aged were able to take part in sailing and outdoor activities.
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, named after the famed yachtswoman, was created to give young people diagnosed with cancer sailing trips to help them gain confidence again after treatment.
Ellen MacArthur, the founding patron of the trust, said: "Sailing is just a vehicle.
"It’s about regaining your life. The joy of the Trust trips is overwhelming, there are always transformations.”
James Hall, Operations Manager for the Trust in Largs, said: “We know the last year and a half has been difficult for young people with cancer.
"We are delighted to welcome them back on-site for the first time in almost two years, get them back out on the water, and bring them together after spending so much time apart.”
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules here