The Ellen MacArthur Trust invited Sophie on a sailing trip

Sophie Williams, aged nine, was diagnosed with Retinoblastoma, which is a rare type of eye cancer, when she was a baby.

After going through treatment, she lacked confidence and struggled with how to fit back into everyday life.

Last summer the Ellen MacArthur Trust invited Sophie on a sailing trip to Cowes to help get her confidence back.

Her dad Steve Williams said: “I cannot stress enough how much the Trust trip has such a positive effect on Sophie. She came back with such confidence and maturity.”

After her trip, Sophie gained the confidence to join Pop Club, a local music group for youngsters, which has encouraged her to go on stage and sing.

She has been able to meet new friends and start to lead a normal life.

She said: “I now have more friends and I know of others who have cancer in their lives. It’s nice to know people care about you.”

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a national charity that supports young people aged 8-24 to rebuild their confidence after cancer. Cancer can make young people like Sophie feel like a ‘normal’ life is an impossible dream. When cancer treatment ends the Trust’s work begins because for many young people simply picking up where they left off before their diagnosis just isn’t possible.

Sophie's story comes as World Cancer Day is held today. The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is highlighting the need to support young people during the challenging but often overlooked phase of rebuilding life after cancer.

Through sailing and outdoor adventure trips with the Trust, young people are empowered and inspired to re-engage with education, employment, relationships and society. When a young person first goes on a Trust trip, they are in the very difficult process of trying to put their lives back together. But as they 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.

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.

Thanks to the support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery, Sophie is looking forward to returning to sail on the West Coast of Scotland, from the charity’s Northern base in Largs, this summer.