New Mills youngster sets sail for charity trip

New Mills youngster Isobel Lewis has taken part in an inspirational sailing trip with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust. The nine-year-old joined up with 20 other young people between the ages of eight and 18 who are in recovery from cancer, for the trip. Joining the crew of one of four yachts, Isobel set sail from the trust’s base at Largs in Scotland for a four-day yacht adventure. The trip was her first time sailing with the trust, and Isobel, who finished treatment for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital in March 2011, was apprehensive beforehand. “I felt nervous but excited as well,” she said. “My friend had been on a trip and said it was really good fun.” Sailing onboard 42-48 foot cruising yachts, the trips provide a chance for the young people to test themselves in a safe and supportive environment, encouraging them to work as a team and get involved in everything from helming the boat to cooking. “We sailed to different places, played card games, watched magic tricks - it was great to sail the boat and go crabbing and fishing,” Isobel said. The trip navigated the waters of the Firth of Clyde, taking the youngsters to various stopovers including Port Bannatyne on the Isle of Bute and the National Sailing Centre at Great Cumbrae. And Isobel thoroughly enjoyed her trip: “It feels really nice to talk to other young people and we all made friends really easily. The trip is really good.”