A Lichfield teenager has taken part in a four-day sailing adventure.
Chelsey Dixon joined 29 other young people who are recovering from cancer as they went aboard yachts to sail around the Solent.
The 17-year-old, who finished treatment in September 2012 for High Grade Sarcoma at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, was thrilled by the opportunity to join the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust voyage. She said: “I was really excited to come, as I love being outdoors.
“We’ve done quite a lot of sailing as well as bonding activities to get to know each other.”
The youngsters worked as a team and tried their hand at a number of activities onboard, including helming the boat and cooking.
“I loved just sitting at the front of the boat dangling my feet in the water – I was in my element, I loved it!” Chelsey said. “I would love to come again.”
Departing from their south coast HQ in East Cowes Marina, Isle of Wight on Monday the trip navigated the waters of the Solent, which took them to various stopovers including Yarmouth Harbour and the picturesque bay of Newtown Creek for a BBQ. Before putting their new skills to the test cruising back into Cowes.
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. Chelsey explains the impact of the trip “It been great meeting new people, I’ve even met two people who have the same diagnosis as me which is really rare, I’ve never met anyone else and had the chance to talk about our treatments and scars properly. You don’t feel like an outsider here, i just wish the trip was longer.”
Dame Ellen, who tries to spend at least one day with every four-day trip over the summer adds, “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.”
In their 11th year, the Trust has grown beyond every expectation into a national charity. Working with every young person Principal Treatment Centre and a growing number of Designated Units in the UK. Taking young people aged between 8-24 who are recovering from cancer on four-day sailing trips.
As the Trust receives no government funding and does not charge fees they therefore rely 100% on voluntary funding. There are many ways you can support The Trust with your time, money or services. To become a Friend of the Trust and help them to continue to provide support and encouragement to young people in recovery from cancer visit
