"Conversations with a young person made me realise what a profound effect the Trust had had on his life post-cancer treatment."
John first got involved with the Trust in 2012, when he met young person-turned-volunteer Larvell. Hearing about the impact of the Trust on Larvell’s life made John want to lend his support to the Trust.
“Conversations with Larvell made me realise what a profound effect the Trust had had on his life post-cancer treatment and I saw an opportunity to combine my love of sailing with doing something worthwhile.”
He describes seeing the transformation of young people on trips – from the ‘rabbit in the headlamps’ expressions on the Monday to developing confidence across the week –while getting to go sailing as a ‘win-win’.
"In my experience, they benefit from being with their peers, who have perhaps had similar experiences."
In 2013, John began his annual clay shoot day which takes place every March in the Hereford and Worcester Shooting Ground in Redditch.
The day consists of a breakfast, followed by a practice shoot in preparation for the team competition shoot in the afternoon. At lunch there is an auction of donated items John has collected over the year.
The winning team takes home the Simon R Burton Trophy, named in memory of John and Mark’s brother who passed away from leukaemia.
The event is self-supporting, with all sponsorship and donations going direct to the Trust along with monies raised on the day from the raffle and auction.
As if all this wasn’t enough, John has also abseiled down the Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth to fundraise too!
“The period post treatment can be a lonely place for the young people. What the Trust does clearly works."
Having seen the benefits of a Trust trip first-hand, John is committed to doing all he can to support young people having the opportunity to come along.
“The period post treatment can, it seems, be a lonely place for the young people and, in my experience, they benefit from being with their peers, who have perhaps had similar experiences.
“Sharing these experiences in the unique trip atmosphere has in innumerable cases developed into firm friendships, forming a great support network, facilitated by their experience with the Trust.
"Every trip has it's standout moments, there are too many to recall a single one, but what the Trust does clearly works.”
If you, or someone you know, could benefit from Trust support, or you want to make a difference to young lives after cancer, here's how you can...
