Tyler takes to the helm on inspirational sailing trip

The Trust aims to inspire young people’s cancer recovery through sailing, and the youngsters took part in one of the Trust’s four day yacht adventures, along with 12 other young people from across the UK, who are all in recovery from cancer and leukemia.

They took charge of four yachts in and around the Solent waters off the Isle of Wight last week.

Since 2004, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust has worked with the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children (NICFC), a charity providing one-to-one and group support for children and families affected by cancer.

The NICFC brings the groups of young people to the Isle of Wight to experience the Trust’s yacht trips.

Amongst the young people on this trip was Tyler McIntyre, 15 from Ballymena, who sailed after treatment for a yolk sac tumour at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children.

After his trip, Tyler said: “The trip was great - it was exciting and gave us opportunities we wouldn’t normally get. The Trust is a great charity and what they do for kids is amazing, when I was offered the opportunity to sail for a whole week I grabbed it! I had to experience living for a boat for a week and I really enjoyed it. I couldn’t pick a best bit as it was all so good.”

The Trust was launched in 2003 by Dame Ellen MacArthur and takes young people in recovery from cancer and leukaemia sailing onboard 38-48 foot cruising yachts. The trips provide a unique experience for the young people, where they get the chance to test themselves in a safe and supportive environment. Each young person has the challenge to help sail the yachts, and are encouraged to work as a team by getting involved in everything from helming the boat to cooking!

The four day yacht trip set sail from Cowes on the Isle of Wight on the 4th July, with the young people spending four nights sleeping on board the boats. They spent the trip navigating the waters of the Solent which took them too various stopover ports, giving Rebecca and the others on board the opportunity to test their new skills on the water. On the final day, the group were joined by Dame Ellen who enjoyed a barbeque and an evening on the beach playing games.

Dame Ellen commented: “These children are truly amazing. They face experiences that no child should ever have to go through, and yet they do it with the biggest smile on their faces, they are truly inspiring”.