A 16-year-old from Newton Aycliffe, who is in recovery from a brain tumour, insists he has “seen a bit of a difference” in himself after enjoying a canal boating trip with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust in Essex last week (29 October – 2 November).
Louis Donohue underwent treatment at the RVI Newcastle after being diagnosed with Medulloblastoma, which has impacted on his mobility.
The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust supports young people aged 8-24 to rebuild their confidence after cancer. When treatment ends the Trust’s work begins as for many young people just picking up where they left off before their diagnosis isn’t possible.
On the canal trip, Louis, who has been on four previous Trust trips since 2013, joined three other young people in recovery from brain tumours, to enjoy the benefits of being on a boat in a small group with others who have been through similar things. He admits his Trust trips have given him a more positive outlook.
Louis said: “The first ever trip I went on was sailing on the Isle of Wight, the weather was good and lovely and warm and it was good to be on the water. Afterwards, I was a bit more chilled out and calm and it really helped with my confidence and independence. It was nice to just have a bit more fun and a laugh.
“That trip had more people on it, whereas I’ve been on three canal trips now and they are more calm and quiet. You’re doing the locks and spending more time on land. It’s nice having a rest from the real world. You can leave it at home.”
The quartet took full advantage of the chance to make new friends, push their physical boundaries opening locks and helming and learning new skills as they cruised the rivers Stort and Lee, on a specially-adapted, wheelchair friendly 67ft canal boat, Red Watch, run by the charity, CanalAbility.
As well as baking and getting involved in all the different aspects of canal boating, the young people celebrated Halloween by making hats and carving pumpkins, although their creations met a messy end getting squashed on a low bridge! They also undertook day-to-day tasks they might not ordinarily do themselves, such as getting dressed, showering and cooking, promoting confidence and independence.
The first Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust canal boat trip ran in 2016 as a widening access initiative, giving young people with more severe mobility issues, or who don’t yet have the confidence to join a Trust sailing trip, the same chance to re-engage with life and to start to look positively towards their future after cancer.
For more information please visit www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org
Louie on the right pictured with Alex Denley a graduate volunteer at the Trust
