A TORFAEN teenager set sail on an inspirational trip with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust after battling a brain tumour.

Morgan Raynsford, 15, from Cwmbran, took part in the sailing trip with the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust, along with 16 other people aged between eight and 18 in recovery from cancer.

His parent's Michelle and Phil explained that taking part in the trip was a huge step for the teenager who was diagnosed with a tumour in March last year.

The tumour had grown within a week, causing blurred vision, headaches and sickness, after it blocked fluid from draining from his brain.

After a hospital visit failed to diagnose the problem, his mother took him to his GP who sent him to hospital for a CT scan .

This revealed the tumour and that same weekend he underwent an operation at the University Hospital of Wales Cardiff to drill a new channel to drain the fluid.

Then followed two and a half months of chemotherapy, a 12 hour operation in July to remove the tumour and radiotherapy.

His dad described how Morgan had to learn to walk again after he contracted complex regional pain syndrome which left him in a wheelchair. But Morgan was determined to improve.

Following a year off school, Morgan was able to rejoin lessons at St Alban's RC High School, after finishing his treatment for Intracranial Germ Cell Tumour in September 2013.

His mum explained that to help him regain his confidence, he joined the crew of a yacht and set sail around the South of England in July in a four-day adventure.

Sailing onboard the 42- 48 foot cruising yacht, the trip provides a chance for the young people to test themselves.

Morgan said: “My favourite bit of the trip was definitely steering the boat.

"I also loved meeting lots of new people who had been through similar experiences to me.”

Departing from East Cowes Marina, Isle of Wight, the trip navigated the waters of the Solent, which took them to various stopovers including Yarmouth Harbour and Newtown Creek.

Launched in 2003 the aim of the Ellen MacArthur Cancer Trust is to give young people in recovery from cancer the chance to rebuild their confidence through sailing.

Speaking after the trip, Morgan added: “This was my first time spending a few nights away from home.

"I was really nervous about it before the trip but everyone is so friendly, it was a lot of fun when we got going.”

To donate to the charity visit www.ellenmacarthurcancertrust.org/index.php/donate