09 April 2019

Siblings count too

A family's life is turned upside down when a young person is diagnosed with cancer, brothers and sisters can be significantly impacted by the long-term illness of a sibling.

For the first time in 2018, 23 siblings of young people in recovery had their own trip to Bradwell after many years of feedback showed the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust that siblings need support too.

After seeing their older brother Romesh Molligoda go through three-and-a-half years of treatment for leukaemia, twins Ashan and Nihal hugely benefitted from the Trust's first siblings trip as their mum explains:

"Life is so difficult for siblings of children with cancer, I think I sometimes forget how much Ashan and Nihal have been through, it has moved me to tears to hear of them having so much fun and getting the limelight for once." - Stephanie Molligoda

This year 30 more siblings will be supported by the Trust after the trip feedback showed the benefits to whole families.

You can read more about the impact of the siblings trip in the Molligoda family's story which will feature in the next edition of Inspire - out in May.

2019 Sibling trip details

The trip will be between 19-23 August at the residential Water Park in the Lake District.

Transport from the designated pick up points will be provided.

Only siblings of young people who have previously sailed with the Trust are eligible for the trip,  they must be aged between 13 and 17.

If you have more than one sibling who is within this age range, we will try and place them both on the trip together.

To apply for a place a parent must complete the application form using the link below before 26th April 2019.