TWO men who have been treated for cancer have enjoyed a post-lockdown lift from a cancer charity.

Aidan Wharton from Brighton and Luke Fines from Lewes learnt how to raise the sails and helm of a 44 foot yacht off the coast of Gosport with a crew of volunteers from the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust earlier this month.

Aidan, who was diagnosed before the start of the pandemic, said: “It was like I had my own little mini-lockdown when I had chemotherapy because I was vulnerable to getting illnesses.

“It’s nice to finally come and do stuff like this, especially meeting others that are in a similar situation to yourself that are your own age. It’s a good positive force for life going forward post-treatment, integration, building your confidence - it all really helps.”

The charity inspires people aged eight to 24-years-old to believe in a brighter future through and beyond cancer. Their sailing days with the Royal Sussex County Hospitals were part of the charity’s Taste of the Trust programme, with regional one-day events to take the trust to young people across the country.

Luke said the experience gave him the chance to talk to people about his experience with people who have also been treated for cancer.

He said: “I play a lot of sport, I like being part of a team, but obviously with lockdown and what you’ve been through you feel less part of that, so it feels really good to be here as everyone is in the same boat - literally.”

The trust’s sailing and outdoor activities aim to build the confidence of cancer survivors by making friends with others, rediscover independence away from home and realise what they are capable of again.

The isolation and anxiety faced by young people with cancer has been amplified by the pandemic and lockdowns, making the trust’s work more important than ever.

Sam Bartlett, Teenage Cancer Trust nurse specialist at Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton, said: “The past year has impacted young people’s lives in so many ways.

“Being isolated from loved ones and friends and not being able to get the face-to-face support that we previously took for granted has certainly had an impact on levels of anxiety and been very frustrating and lonely.

“That’s why it is so important to have things to look forward to now that we are able to start meeting in person again, it helps to make things feel more normal, feel connected and brings some excitement back.”

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