A CREDITON girl who fought off cancer has taken to the waves for an inspirational sailing trip onboard a yacht thanks to the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust.

Jasmine Larkman, 12, took part in the four day adventure sailing around the Solent with 23 other young people in recovery from cancer.

Jasmine, who finished her treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) in August 2010, said: “I didn't really know what to expect before the trip. I was quite excited to find out what was going to happen.

“I liked making new friends, it was good to talk to people and I loved using the steering wheel.”

The group sailed around the waters on the south coast in five cruising yachts that measured up to 48 feet.

“I really enjoyed it and I want to come back next year because I like sailing. All the people look after you well, you get good food and it’s really fun,” Jasmine later added.

Launched in 2003, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust organises the trips, with the aim of giving young people in recovery from cancer the chance to rebuild their confidence through sailing.

The trips provide a chance for them to test themselves in a safe and supportive environment, encouraging them to work as a team and get involved in everything from helming the boat to cooking.

The yacht departed from East Cowes Marina, Isles of White on Monday, July 20 and completed its voyage on July 23, after stopping at Yarmouth Harbour and Newtown Creek.

Dame Ellen MacArthur, who often spends a day on the trips, said: “The mental and social fall-out from cancer can be just as devastating as the physical illness. Everything we do is about building confidence, self-esteem and having fun together.”

Now in its 12th year, the trust has grown into a national charity taking young people aged between 8 and 24 who are recovering from cancer on four-day sailing trips.

The trust is also working with every young person Principal Treatment Centre and a growing number of Designated Units in the UK to help young people recovery from cancer.

After completing a sailing trip with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer trust, children are invited back annually until they are 18.

For more information on the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, visit www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org