Taking the helm after cancer

A young Thame resident, who is recovering from cancer, has recently taken part in an inspirational sailing trip with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.

Liam Earwicker at the helm

Liam Earwicker, 14, along with 25 other young people between the ages of 8 -18, also in recovery from cancer, joined the crew of one of five yachts to set sail around the Solent in August, on a four-day yacht adventure.

For Liam, who finished treatment in December 2013 for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma at the John Radcliffe Hopsital, this was his first time sailing with the Trust. Having sailed once before, Liam knew he was in for a good time and was excited for the upcoming trip: “I expected that it was going to be a fun trip and a completely different experience to my last time in a boat, ” he said.

Sailing onboard 42- 48 foot cruising yachts, the trips provided 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.

Liam explained: “I had a super time relaxing and exploring in the boat. I can definitely take away some good skills from this trip.”

Leaving their south coast HQ in East Cowes Marina, Isle of Wight, the trip navigated the waters of the Solent, taking 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. Liam explained the impact the trip had on him: “You’ve just got to be yourself on trips like these; it was all very easy for me because you know what your friends are going through.”

Dame Ellen, who tries to spend at least one day with every four-day trip over the summer, 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.”

The trust is now in its 11th year, and has grown into a national charity working with every young person’s Principal Treatment Centre, and a growing number of Designated Units in the UK. Sailing trips are provided completely free of charge to the young people. The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust receives no funding from the Government or the NHS, so is reliant on donations.

To donate and help the trust to continue to provide support and encouragement to young people in recovery from cancer, visit :

http://www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org/index.php/donate