She has battled cancer – and now one young woman is living her dream on the water.

Nineteen-year-old Alex Insall, from Frizington, is living through and beyond cancer and admitted “the vibes are great as usual!” after enjoying four days of sailing with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust in Scotland.

Alex was 12 when she was diagnosed with an intracranial germ cell tumour, a kind of brain cancer.

And now she has been among seven young people from across the UK that spent last week sailing from Largs Marina, as the Trust gets back to bringing young people together, having been off the water since 2020.

The isolation, loneliness and anxiety experienced by young people with cancer has been amplified by Covid and lockdown. That is why they need the Trust more than ever right now.

Alex first sailed with the Trust in 2016 and said: “Lockdown was a bit stressful. I had to shield and lost contact with some of my friends – I wasn’t sure if the trip was going to go ahead.

“But it’s been great, I have really loved this trip. We didn’t have much wind, but the sun was out. I think it’s helped me regain some confidence in mixing with new people after not being able to for some time.

“Having my trip cancelled last year was very disappointing and I was a bit worried about Covid coming back, but it all feels very safe and the vibes are great as usual.”

Through the Trust’s sailing and outdoor activities, young people meet others who have had similar experiences – often for the first time – to rediscover independence away from home, experience an increased sense of purpose and self-worth, and begin to realise what they are capable of again.

Most importantly they stop feeling like the ‘only one’.

The young people are inspired to believe in a brighter future as they feel valued, accepted, optimistic and independent. They can start to re-establish their place in the world by getting back into education or employment and reconnecting with their friends and families.

Alex said: “Having cancer made me feel very vulnerable and aware of my mortality.

“I lost my pituitary gland and my left peripheral vision. All of my relationships changed, including friendship groups. I struggled with school for a while, but had support from various charities which helped me find a new normal.

“I loved my first trip with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, which made me want to keep coming back. I made close friends with other young people on my boat, I gained loads of confidence from speaking to people with similar experiences. Plus it was super fun and just a great time!”