A cancer survivor has said a charity helped him regain confidence in himself through the power of sailing.

James Stone, from Watford, thought his dream of joining the Royal Air Force was over in 2016 after doctors diagnosed him with a Medullablastoma brain tumour.

But since he recovered in 2017, the 19-year-old has sailed in the Isle of White twice with the Ellen MacArthur Trust, a charity that helps people recover from cancer.

He said: “Cancer had changed my life massively and I doubted myself after cancer, but now I am sailing and have loads of confidence.

“I have made amazing friendships out of this who are all cancer survivors as well.”

Mr Stone had been studying public services at West Herts College before his life was turned around in October 2016.

Whilst undergoing treatment at the University College London Hospital until December 2017, Mr Stone said he was at hospital every week and was left feeling “very isolated”.

He said: “I felt very low and could not leave my house or go to parties with my friends.

“I saw a massive step back in my fitness and my immune system was not working properly, it was awful.”

Now Mr Stone is trying to join the RAF, and says he only has to pass his medical test to get in.

He said the charity has helped him “enormously” since he recovered from his tumour and were “responsible” for helping him work towards his goal.

Mr Stone added: “The trust has really helped me and hopefully I will achieve my dream of getting into the RAF.

“My parents are really happy I am doing this.”

Speaking about recovering from cancer through sailing, the Ellen MacArthur Trust said: “Through sailing and other UK-wide adventure trips, coordinated from Largs in Scotland and the Trust’s HQ in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, young people build confidence by making friends with others who have been through similar, rediscovering independence away from home and learning new skills.

“Most importantly, they stop feeling like they are the ‘only one’.”