A YOUNG Whitchurch dad, who took part in a round Britain sailing challenge in recovery from cancer, is amongst those getting involved in a new virtual event launched by the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust to transform young lives after treatment.

Now 23, Sam Doré was supported by the Trust after treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma – a cancer affecting the part of the throat connecting the back of the nose and mouth - as a child, before becoming a volunteer and he now sits on the Trust’s Youth Board.

The Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is a national charity that empowers young people aged 8-24 to embrace their future after cancer.

Round Britain Your Way invites anyone to run, swim, walk, cycle or create their own challenge to collectively travel the 2,400 miles around the British coastline.

It is running throughout the whole September to coincide with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month.

The Trust has twice circumnavigated Britain crewed by young people in recovery in 2009 and 2017. Now the aim of Round Britain Your Way is for people to take on a challenge to, together, travel the equivalent distance sailed on each of those two voyages.

Sam took part in the Falmouth to Cardiff leg of Round Britain 2017, while his partner, Milly, was the Round Britain 2017 project co-ordinator. The Whitchurch couple will be taking their 18-month-old son, Zak, out for enough walks to cover 80 miles for Round Britain Your Way.

Sam said: "When I first sailed with the Trust I was 14, had just finished treatment and was not really sure what life was going to be or what route life was going to take me.

"That first trip found the route.

"If anyone remembers me turning up to me leaving, they will know you could see the difference in what the Trust does, because you couldn't shut me up!

"I turned up at home, chatting away and my family were like 'who is this?'

Milly added: “The Trust has had a massive impact on both our lives over many years.

"The transformation you see in timid young people at the start of a Trust trip to the confident young people that leave is amazing and we want to be able to help more young people experience that on their journey to recovery. It’s an amazing opportunity.”