A NINETEEN-year-old from Calne who is recovering from cancer has joined four other volunteers to sail as guests in the RC44 Portsmouth Cup.

George Paxford took to the waters with volunteers from the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust after being invited to join the race by Chris Bake, host and owner of the British contender Team Aqua.

Launched in 2003, the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust works with young people recovering with cancer and offers them a chance to rebuild their confidence from sailing. Mr Paxford first sailed with trust in 2009 following treatment for osteosarcoma in his left tibia at a very young age.

He said: "I've been back every year since that first trip – it really does help with your confidence, talking to people and knowing that you're not the only one. So I'm coming back this year to volunteer and give something back."

The RC44 Portsmouth Cup is the first time the Championship Tour has visited the UK and the class is unique in that the crews are made up of half amateurs and half professionals, with an amateur driver required for fleet racing.

The crews are made up of eight people with a ninth person allowed on board as a guest sailor and Mr Paxford will be joining French team Aleph as their guest.

Mr Paxford said: "I had never been racing or even seen any boat racing before coming out with the RC44 Class so I was really looking forward to the day and it did not disappoint. When I get back to university I would like to join the dinghy sailing club and do some racing."

Now in its 13th year, the trust, which receives no government funding, has grown into a national charity, working with young people aged eight to 24 who are recovering from cancer by taking them on sailing trips.

Through dedicated supporters, such as Team Aqua, the trust is able to establish long-term relationships with the young people it works with.

Mr Bake said: "Ever since I found out about the trust I've been a big admirer and supporter. The work that it does with young people, putting them in a position where they can excel under their own ability and initiative and gain the confidence from that, I think it's just amazing."

For more information visit www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org.