Four sailing boats generously made available by members of the prestigious Yacht Club de Monaco gave nine children in remission from cancer an unforgettable experience. From 21-27 April, these young heroes from the specialist Léon-Bérard centre in Lyon, aged nine to 17 years old, embarked on a very special therapeutic cruise thanks to a partnership between the Sir Ernst Expedition association, the ‘A chacun son cap’ association and the YCM.
Departing from Le Lavandou in the Var this magical maritime odyssey ended at the Yacht Club de Monaco on Friday at noon after a truly memorable week for these young people.
Prior to this adventure, they had been absorbed in following the awareness-raising expedition of the Sir Ernst sailing boat that started three years ago from the Yacht Club de Monaco’s pontoons, criss-crossing the Antarctic and Patagonia channels and establishing a unique link with children hospitalised with cancer.
François Miribel, the man behind this inspiring project, shared his feelings: “Having enabled them to dream about it during preparations for this cruise, then getting them out of their rooms and above all giving them the opportunity to go on board and enjoy the experience for themselves is what matters most to me”.
A symbol of freedom and hope, the cruise offered the children an escape from their illness, helped them regain their self-esteem and confidence in their abilities and gave them a sense of independence.
This wonderful trip was run by the Breton-based ‘A chacun son cap’ association and this was their first such trip in the Mediterranean.