Thanks to The Ellen MacArthur Trust, a fourteen year old Islander recovering from leukaemia, will be making her way to Essex this weekend.
Debbie Chessell from Wootton, will be joining a merry gang of 34 other young people from around the country, all aged between 8 and 18, who are also recovering from cancer or other serious illness.
All have previously sailed with the Trust, in fact this is the fifth time that Debbie joins the Ellen MacArthur Trust.
“I am really looking forward to all the activities and meeting up with old friends who have been through the same thing as me. Sailing with The Trust has made me realise I am not alone and that I am not just part of a tiny group, but a big one! I am so grateful to The Trust for that and I can’t wait to go back and just have fun!” said Debbie.
What will they be doing in Essex?
The Residential sailing courses at Bradwell Outdoors in Essex, enables the young people to gain Royal Yachting Association dinghy sailing qualifications, and gives them the skills and confidence to continue to develop their sailing.
They also try a variety of challenges and activities to help build skills and confidence, such as canoeing, facing fears on the high ropes, cycling, archery and kite flying.
The young people will also have the honour of spending time with Dame Ellen MacArthur during the week.
She said, “These children are truly amazing. They face experiences that no child should ever have to go through, and yet they do it with the biggest smile on their faces, they are truly inspiring”.
