Port of Blyth has been delighted to offer a berth to a cancer patient from Ipswich who is circumnavigating Great Britain by boat to raise much-needed cash for Macmillan Cancer Support.
Olle Nash, 63, weighed anchor on 22nd May 2021 at his hometown of Ipswich to make the trip of a lifetime around England, Wales and Scotland, despite being on active chemotherapy treatment for bowel cancer and permanently dependent on a colostomy.
A four-month adventure on the choppy waters lapping Britain’s shores may not be an obvious pastime for someone living with cancer, but Olle – whose boat is called ‘Renegade’ – has always been one to push against the tide.
He said: “When I was first diagnosed with cancer, I didn’t ask those awkward questions like ‘what does this mean for my life?’ I just wanted to get on with it, but I did think that perhaps I wouldn’t always be as fit as I am now, so if there were things I wanted to do, I should do them. I’d been hoping to spend my retirement sailing all over the place, so I combined this ambition with my fundraising.”
While many people emerging from a year of shielding might feel apprehensive about resuming their day-to-day activities, Olle has been raring to swap his year of isolation and hospital trips for a challenge that he hopes will raise £10,000 to fund more medical, practical and emotional support for people living with cancer.
Port of Blyth Harbour Master Edwin Dick, who was on hand to welcome Olle and his crew to Blyth, said: “Sailing around the UK is tough at the best of times, never mind whilst being treated for cancer, so we offer Olle all the luck in the world with his trip and wish him a speedy recovery. We’re delighted to contribute to his fundraising efforts and will be encouraging other local businesses to do so if they can.”
Olle is documenting his progress by way of a blog at Sailing With Cancer, and through his Twitter and LinkedIn social media accounts.
Help Olle reach his £10,000 target for Macmillan Cancer Support by donating at: www.justgiving.com/fundraising/olle-nash
