The first time I ever said yes was at an opportunity to go snowboarding in the French Alps with the Caring Cancer Trust, a charity that take recovering cancer patients (16 and under) away on holiday as a treat after their treatment.
Here is my story of why and how:
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| The guys I spent my week with. Miss them all a lot! |
I got invited to go to the French Alps with the Caring Cancer Trust by the event organiser from Piam Brown children's cancer ward, the ward I was treated in for
cancer 13 years ago. I was taking sponsor money up to the ward after running
the Great South Run with my mum, I do this every year because I cant thank them
enough for saving my life, when I was asked if I would like to go on the trip. The event organiser said she had invited me because I have raised so much money and done so
much for the ward, she would like to treat me to say thankyou. I couldn't
believe my luck because I had never been snowboarding or skiing before and it
is something I had always wanted to do. I was a little anxious at the time
because I wouldn't know anyone who was going with me, but am I glad I said yes!
It was one of the best decisions I have ever made!
On the day of departure,
I was really worried because it was the first time I had been away without my
family and I felt like I was alone. But within 10 minutes on the coach, I felt
like I had known everyone for years already. They were all so friendly and
welcoming and I realised that they were all going through the same feelings as
me. It was a long journey but sharing stories about treatment with the other
children made me realise that I'm not the only child that's been through a
horrible time with cancer.
Driving up the mountain
and arriving at the chalet we stayed in was beyond my expectations. It was
honestly the most beautiful place I had ever seen! We went up to the top of the
mountain almost straight away, got our boards and started learning the basics
and throughout the week, we learnt more and more. By the end of the week we
could all perform spins and jumps! It was unbelievable the amount we had learnt
in such a short space of time! All of this was down to our two incredible
instructors, Annette and James. They
were true stars!
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| Our beautiful chalet. |
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| Learning the basics. |
Every day, we would go
back to the chalet in the afternoon and we would play some indoor and outdoor
games and even go in the outside hot tub with an amazing view before all
sitting together to enjoy dinner made by the chef, James. His food was outstanding!
In the evening, we would either sit down together and watch a film or sit
around the camp fire together singing and roasting marsh mellows. Everyone made
it seem so homely at the chalet, and the nights around the camp fire were the
best nights of my life!
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| The incredible view from the hot tub! Never seen anything more amazing! |
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| Night around the camp fire. |
At the end of the week,
we all got given special awards and shared lots of memories. Two main awards
were given out. The first one was for being the best snowboarder, this went to
Henry who really deserved it as he was outstanding! The other was the Jenny
Jones award, for being the most positive and most supportive to everyone
throughout the week. To my surprise, I got this award, and I couldn't be more
thankful for it!
Throughout the week, I
learnt that building a great friendship isn't as hard as I have always thought
it is. I have made some friends for life on this trip, children and adult! My
confidence has grown so much and I also learnt you can do anything if you
really believe in it!
So that's my story of the first time I said yes. I hope it inspires you to say yes to more opportunities you get!
If you want to read a more detailed story or more stories, then you can read them on my other blog that's all about saying yes by clicking here!
Until next time beautiful's,
xx
