A boy from Forest Hill who is in recovery from leukaemia has revealed how a sailing trip made him feel less alone when he was diagnosed.

Ahead of World Cancer Day on February 4, 15-year-old Finley Clark has said it was a trip with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust that gave him a new focus.

The trust highlights the need to support young people during the challenging but often overlooked phase of rebuilding life after cancer.

Finley was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia as a young child and underwent treatment at the Royal Marsden Hospital.

He struggled with the transition and lacked confidence after his treatment finished, however his first trust trip on the Isle of Wight gave him a more positive outlook.

Finley said: “The trips made me feel more confident about my medical issues as now I know there are other young people who also have them.”

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a national charity that supports young people aged eight to 24 to rebuild their confidence after cancer.

Cancer can make young people like Finley feel a ‘normal’ life is an impossible dream and that’s why when treatment ends the trust’s work begins as for many young people simply picking up where they left off before their diagnosis just isn’t possible.

Through sailing and outdoor adventure trips with the trust, young people are empowered and inspired to re-engage with education, employment, relationships and society.

Patients eat, sleep and live on board a boat, and are encouraged to take part in every aspect of running and sailing a yacht, they rediscover their confidence and independence.

Meeting new friends and realising you’re not the only one is a huge part of the recovery process, as Finley explains: “Trust trips give me something to look forward to every year, it gives me a chance to meet people who have been through similar things and creates an opportunity to have fun without worrying.”

Young people are supported long-term throughout the long and emotionally draining process of recovery as the trust gives everyone the opportunity to come back for trips year-on-year, with the possibility to volunteer, and inspire other young people like them, once they turn 18.

Finley said: “Every child on the trip is unique and special and the prospect of being independent on the waves brings great excitement.”