An 18-year-old from St Austell, who is living through cancer has enjoyed five days of sailing on the Solent with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust last week September 6-10.

Alfie Huthnance was 12 when he was diagnosed with Ganglioneuroma, a rare type of lung tumour.

He was among 14 young people from across the UK that spent last week sailing from the Isle of Wight as part of the Trust getting back on the water, having been off in 2020.

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust helps to inspire young people aged 8-24 to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer.

For many young people, picking up where they left off before their diagnosis isn’t possible.

Falmouth Packet: He was among 14 young people from across the UK that spent last week sailing from the Isle of Wight.He was among 14 young people from across the UK that spent last week sailing from the Isle of Wight.

The isolation, loneliness and anxiety experienced by young people with cancer has been massively amplified by COVID and lockdown.

That is why many need the Trust's work more than ever.

Alfie first sailed with the Trust in 2017.

He said: "It’s been tough I haven’t really been outside that much which kind of sucks, so I was excited for this as I haven’t been able to do it for a couple of years so to come back and be on the water and meet people that I haven’t met before is awesome."

Through the Trust’s sailing and outdoor activities, young people meet others who have had similar experiences - often for the first time, rediscover independence away from home, experience an increased sense of purpose and self-worth, and begin to realise what they are capable of again.

Most importantly they stop feeling like the ‘only one’.

Falmouth Packet: Through the Trust’s sailing and outdoor activities, young people meet others who have had similar experiences.Through the Trust’s sailing and outdoor activities, young people meet others who have had similar experiences.

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The young people are inspired to believe in a brighter future as they can come out feeling valued, accepted, optimistic and independent.

They can also start to re-establish their place in the world by getting back into education or employment and reconnecting with their friends and families.

Alfie adds: "My tumour impacted me quite a lot because I was 12 when I had it, so it was pretty traumatic at the time.

"I was in hospital at Christmas as well but over the last few years I’ve been okay.

"I feel in a way thankful for my tumour because of the opportunities it’s given me.

"I wouldn’t have any of the people I’ve met on these trips so I’m thankful for it but at the same time it was horrible.

"I was doing an acting course but over lockdown I spent a lot of time thinking and realised acting wasn’t for me and because of my previous trips with the Trust it inspired me to become a water sports instructor.

"So, next year in 2022 I’m coming back to the Isle of Wight and training to become a water sports instructor which is all thanks to the Trust."

Falmouth Packet: Alfie Huthnance was 12 when he was diagnosed with Ganglioneuroma, a rare type of lung tumour. Alfie Huthnance was 12 when he was diagnosed with Ganglioneuroma, a rare type of lung tumour.

Dame Ellen MacArthur, the Trust’s Founder and Patron, said: "We hear it a lot, that for many young people what happens after treatment can be as difficult as, if not even more so, than the treatment itself.

"Receiving funding from People’s Postcode Lottery has been a gamechanger in enabling us to reach and have a positive impact on the lives of many hundreds of these young people over the past decade.

"We know the impact the Trust has on the mental wellbeing of young people living through and beyond cancer.

"Thanks to players of People’s Postcode Lottery, more and more will get the support they need to believe in a brighter future."

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust was founded by the record-breaking round-the-world yachtswoman in 2003.

Visit ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org or follow @emctrust on social media.