Four-day trips

The Trust’s main activity is taking young people in recovery from cancer and leukaemia sailing on four-day trips, on board 38-48 ft cruising yachts.  Sailing is perfect for these children – it gives them a chance to test themselves in a safe and supportive environment. Simply the experience of going out on the water for the first time is an adventure. Each young person has the challenge to help sail the yachts throughout the trips.

“Alec found the sailing exciting, and loved it. This was an opportunity to try something new that fitted round his illness. He regained a lot of confidence he had lost. We have seen a glimpse of the boy we had before he was diagnosed.”  Mother of Alec, 16

These trips are for those sailing with us for the first time and offer a gentle introduction to sailing whilst encouraging teamwork and fun.  The young people arrive in their hospital groups and are given an introduction to their trip, then split into crews of five and are shown round their yacht, where they live and sleep until they leave.  The next three days are spent on the water, mooring at a different port each night, with organised on shore activities in the evenings, and the emphasis throughout on having fun.  The young people will work towards their Start Yachting certificate during this trip. 

Each voyage is lead by experienced, professional sailors who are used to working with children. There is a high adult to child ratio - at least three adults to five children. For medical support, a nurse travels with the children, with on-shore back-up from a paediatrician with experience of oncology practice.  The Trust prides itself on both welfare and quality of experience for each young person, striving to retain a family atmosphere whilst taking as many young people as possible sailing.

In 2010 we piloted our first four-day trip for 18-24 year olds who had just finished treatment for cancer or leukaemia.  Working initially with The Royal Marsden Hospital, Queens Medical Centre Nottingham, Leicester Royal Infirmary and St James Hospital Leeds we offered this age group the same confidence building experience as we do for our under 18’s, but with the trip slightly adapted for the older age group.  These young adults are diagnosed at a time in their lives when exams, university or career prospects can all be deeply affected by treatment.  The independence most young adults are enjoying at this age is taken away.  Often there are less opportunities and support available and so we were very excited to be working with this age group for the first time. We hope to be able to offer this trip to many more hospitals in 2011.

Boats We Use
The Trust uses a variety of yachts both borrowed and chartered during the summer trips.  Sunsail is our first port of call when booking our yachts before approaching local charter companies.  We also have had use of Scarlet Oyster for the last four years, who sailed round Britain in 2009.  The Trust became owners of their first boat, Moonspray, a 44ft Gibsea donated to the Trust by the Poole Sail Training Trust in 2009 after their charitable operations wrapped up.  This yacht is now used for all our summer trips and has allowed us the freedom to arrange many new projects already.