Lauren takes part in inspirational sailing trip

14-year-old Lauren Monaghan was part of the sailing trip with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, along with 19 other young people between the age of 8 -18 in recovery from cancer.

Lauren joined the crew of one of five yachts, to sail around the Solent on the south coast in a four-day yacht adventure.

For Lauren, who finished treatment January 2014 for Craniopharyngioma at Belfast City Hospital, this was her first time sailing with the Trust.

Slightly apprehensive about the upcoming trip Lauren explained: “I’ve never been sailing before so I didn’t really know what to expect.

“I thought it would be scary and it would take a lot of getting used to, but it was brilliant everyone was so kind, they really care about you.”

Sailing onboard 42- 48 foot cruising yachts, the trips provide a chance for the young people to test themselves in a safe and supportive environment.

They were encouraged to work as a team and get involved in everything from helming the boat to cooking.

Lauren added: “It was brilliant, we were taught how to hoist the sails, learnt how to do the winch and the knots, they also let us helm the boat too.

“We had an amazing water fight on one of the days, we all got soaked it was the best.”