Monikie’s Elita McFarlane recently took part in an inspirational sailing trip with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, along with a number of other young people in recovery from cancer.
Elita, 10, joined the crew of one of the yachts, to sail on the Firth of Clyde in a four-day yacht adventure.
For Elita, who finished cancer treatment in December for Renal Cell Carcinoma at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, this was her first time sailing with the Trust.
She said: “One of my nurses mentioned the trip to me to see if I wanted to go and I thought it would be a really good chance to meet people who had also had cancer.”
Sailing onboard 42-48 foot cruising yachts, the Trust trips 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.
Elita added: “I’ve learnt how to sail a boat, had quite a lot of water fights and I have learnt how to work well as a team with the people on my boat.”
Departing from their Scottish base in Largs Yacht Haven, the young people navigated the waters of the Firth of Clyde and enjoyed various stopovers including Port Bannatyne on the picturesque Isle of Bute, before putting their new skills to the test, cruising back into Largs.
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.
Now in its 13th year, the Trust has grown beyond every expectation into a national charity.
