Bognor cancer recovery girl's voyage with Dame Ellen

Claire Amaladoss, 16, was one of 74 children and teenagers who sailed on one of the 17 legs of the 2,500 nautical miles, 132-day round trip on 48ft yacht Scarlet Oyster.

She took part in the final leg of the Ellen MacArthur Trust Skandia Round Britain Voyage, from Torquay to Cowes via Southampton, and received a certificate from Dame Ellen to mark the occasion.

The Trust takes eight to 18-year-olds sailing to help them regain their confidence on their way to recovery from cancer, leukaemia and other serious illnesses.

After their turn on the voyage, the children returned to the

paediatric oncology wards where they talked about their experience to those currently being treated.

Claire, who attends St Philip Howard High School in Barnham, was diagnosed with Hodgkins lymphoma in May 2006 and was treated at Southampton General Hospital.

Asked what she enjoyed about the voyage, she said: "Just being out on the water away from everything, and spending time with my friends."

She felt 'being out on the water' would be her dream job '“ although

she also expressed a preference for astronomy, with a love of physics, and helping young people. For pleasure she enjoys listening to music '“ a song by The Killers was her favourite '“ running, and watching and playing football.

When asked what she would do if made queen for a day, she said: "I would promote Bognor Regis Town Football Club to the Premier League!"

Claire also pledged to pump lots more money into hospitals and schools, and give everyone the chance to visit the sea.

She said: "I think the beach is just brilliant whatever the weather.

People stuck in big cities surrounded by grey buildings towering over them are really missing out."

Claire said everybody she met on her ward was a hero to her '“ 'especially the younger children, always smiling' '“ as was Dame Ellen.

And the plucky teen knew what she wanted if Scarlet Oyster had veered dramatically off course and marooned her on a desert island.

She said: "I would take my iPod as music can keep me entertained for hours, a really complicated book I can read again and again and still find something new, and a photo album full of photos of me and my friends, and me and my sister.

"Photos like that never fail to make me laugh because they just bring everything back."

Dame Ellen said: "The voyage has been everything we ever dreamt of. It was always about what the young people would get out of it and it's been a great experience for everyone."

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