A cancer survivor from Welwyn Garden City has enjoyed the outdoor adventure of a lifetime thanks to a charity.
George Harvey was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a type of bone cancer, in 2019, but the 24-year-old made a full recovery.
He has now enjoyed the experience of a lifetime thanks to the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.
The charity uses Flynne’s Barn in the heart of the Lake District to take young people aged eight to 24 on sailing and outdoor adventures to inspire them to believe in a brighter future living through and beyond cancer.
George was grateful for the charity's support, saying: "There’s an assumption that the bulk of the work in healing from cancer is done the day you finish chemo. That couldn’t be more untrue.
"When you get to the other side of your treatment and you start that healing journey, I know for me, is that you want to be someone who’s viewed as strong and independent.
I am five years out of treatment, without the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, I’d probably be the equivalent of only a year or two out.
"Since my previous trip, I had a couple of bouts where I’ve been feeling more anxious and more stressed out. I’m looking forward to catching up with everyone at home because I think they’ll be pleased to see that I’m more mellowed out and more relaxed.
"The main benefit I’ve got from these trips is the ability to be vulnerable around people who have those comparable experiences.
"It is easier to let your guard down when you’re around people who have similar experiences compared to medical professionals or people at home who don’t always fully get it."
Founder and patron of the charity, Dame Ellen MacArthur, added: "We see it time and time again. Young people arrive anxious and isolated. But they leave feeling part of something, accepted, independent, and optimistic.
"We are only able to support as many young people as we do thanks to the players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Because of them, thousands of young lives have been transformed after cancer through life-changing sailing and outdoor activity adventures.
"This summer we will welcome hundreds of young people from right across the UK who need post-treatment support. We will be there for them and they will believe in a brighter future."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here