A Chester teenager recovering from cancer has told how sailing has helped his recovery.
Xavier Doran, from Chester, recently took part in an inspirational sailing trip with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, along with sixteen young people in recovery from cancer.
Xavier joined the crew of one of four yachts, to sail along the west coast of Scotland from the July 25, on a five-day yachting adventure.
For Xavier, 15, who finished cancer treatment in April for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, this was his second time sailing with the trust.
He said: “I really enjoyed it last time so I thought I would like to return, it was good to do something different.”
The inspirational adventure for Xavier formed part of the trust’s Return to Sail programme, aimed at building long-term relationships between the trust and the young people they support and also ongoing friendships between everyone involved.
The trips also 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.
He added: “It’s been fun. You do a lot of different activities and you learn a lot of new things.”
Departing from their Scottish base in Largs Yacht Haven on Monday, the young people sailed to Loch Fyne via the Kyles of Bute and enjoyed stopovers at the picturesque ports of Tarbert and Portavadie, before putting their new skills to the test circumnavigating the Island of Bute on their way back to Largs.
Launched in 2003, the aim of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is to give young people aged eight-24 in recovery from cancer the chance to rebuild their confidence through sailing.
The trust receives no government funding and therefore relies entirely on voluntary donations to provide sailing trips free of charge to the young people.
To find out more, visit www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org.
