Shannon's sailing adventure with Dame Ellen
Kirsty Gibbins • Published 6 Aug 2012 09:30
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A WALLYFORD teenager who overcame a battle with leukaemia enjoyed a four-day sailing adventure with record-breaking yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur last month.
Shannon MacKenzie, 15, from Wallyford, took part in the unique opportunity courtesy of the with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. The Trust aims to inspire young people's cancer recovery through sailing, and Shannon took part in one of the Trust's four day yacht adventures, along with 20 other young people all between the age of eight and 17 years old from across the UK, in recovery from cancer and leukaemia.
They took charge of four yachts around the Solent waters off the Isle of Wight between July 9-12.
The young people spent three nights sleeping on board the boats. They spent the trip navigating the waters of the Solent, which took them to various stopover ports, giving the young people the opportunity to test their new skills on the water.
Shannon was diagnosed in December 2008 with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, then relapsed in January 2010.
She finished treatment at the Royal Hospital for Sick Children Edinburgh in July 2010.
After the trip Shannon said: "My favourite part of the trip was going on the speed boats, I also enjoyed being on the boat with Ellen MacArthur, that was quite surreal but really good fun."
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a charity that supports young people aged between 8-24 who are recovering from cancer and other serious illnesses.
Launched in 2003 by Dame Ellen, the Trust's main activity is taking young people on sailing trips to help them rebuild their confidence, giving the young people a chance to test themselves in a safe and supportive environment.
Each young person has the challenge to help sail the yachts, and are encouraged to work as a team by getting involved in everything from helming the boat to cooking.
Dame Ellen is best-known as a solo long-distance yachtswoman, who once held the world record for the fastest solo circumnavigation of the globe.
Dame Ellen said: "These young people are truly amazing. They face experiences that no one should ever have to go through, and yet they do it with the biggest smile on their faces, they are truly inspiring".
For more information about the trust, visit www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org
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