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Littlebeck's brave Penny's trip of a lifetime
AFTER a brave battle against cancer, one adventurous young girl has taken a trip of a lifetime alongside legendary yachtswoman Dame Ellen MacArthur.
Penny Lawn (16) from Littlebeck took part in a unique four-day sailing trip off the Isle of Wight with the Ellen MacArthur Trust.
The determined Whitby Community College student, who has been battling cancer of the glands – Hodgkin's lymphoma – underwent chemotherapy at St James' Hospital in Leeds.
Earlier this year, Penny also got to rub shoulders with some famous names including boyband JLS, R&B singer Lemar and X Factor finalist Diana Vickers as a special guest at a concert in the Royal Albert Hall in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust.
Penny completed her treatment in May last year and is now delighted to be in remission.
She said: "I live by the sea but I have never been sailing before and I have loved it. This is such a good opportunity to try something new and meet people who have been through an illness similar to me."
Joined by 25 other youngsters, recovering from cancer and serious illness, Penny helped take charge of a 38ft cruising yacht to sail the Solent, the busy stretch of water separating the Isle of Wight from Britain, for a special trip organised by The Ellen MacArthur Trust.
Trust patron, Dame Ellen MacArthur – who found fame after breaking the world record for the fastest solo circumnavigation of the globe – joined the young adventurers, aged from eight to 18, for a special barbecue with the renowned sailor at Newton Creek.
Docking at the nature reserve and beach on the Isle's North West coast, they enjoyed an evening barbecue and beach games with the record-breaking yachtswoman, before spending a night aboard their boats.
The crew's first day was spent at the trust's operational base, UKSA, in Cowes where they were introduced to their new home and began preparations for the week ahead, before setting out for their first sailing trip to Yarmouth Harbour.
Penny said her favourite part was working with the high-speed inflatable motor boats, known as rigid-inflatable boats (RIBs).
"The crew have been lovely, really nice", she added.
Mum Julie spoke of how proud she was of her daughter and what a confidence boost the experience had been.
"The trip was fantastic, she had a really great time and really did enjoy it.
"It's a marvellous thing for them to do and such a great thing for Ellen MacArthur to set up," said Mrs Lawn.
"Kids from all over the country, who have gone through treatment for cancer, can get away and chat about their experiences together."
Penny is already planning to set sail with the trust again next year.
Dame Ellen Macarthur said: "These children are truly amazing.
"They face experiences that no child should ever have to go through and yet they do it with the biggest smiles on their faces, they are truly inspiring."
The trust aims to rebuild confidence in young people, who have suffered from cancer and leukaemia.
For more information, visit www.ellenmacarthurtrust.org
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Thursday 09 February 2012
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