I developed a cough that wouldn’t go away so went to see the Doctor.  I was diagnosed as terminally ill with lung cancer and kidney cancer, and given just eight weeks to live. My weight very quickly plummeted to ten stone, and I had two people coming to visit me at home to help care for me.  

Where I lived had mildew which I couldn’t get rid of and this wasn’t helping with my health.  I called my Landlady to report it and she evicted me for speaking up.  I had bought a camper van and put it in my Will so there would be something for my family, and now I found myself living in it.

The thing about cancer is that nobody can see it so I felt invisible and alone in my struggles.  I was only getting about two hours a night sleep and didn’t know what to do with the time I had left. I organised my life into a container and sent my family the keys.  I had already arranged and paid for my funeral so that wouldn’t be a burden for them, and felt content that everything was sufficiently in order for me to end my life. 

Luckily I wasn’t successful, although that wasn’t how I felt at the time. A friend of mine asked me if I’d heard of Turn To Starboard, a brilliant charity which takes ex-soldiers sailing.  I took a risk and drove down in my camper van to see if I could get involved.  It was a Sunday and I met Jim by chance outside of the office, and he told me to definitely come back the next day.  

Everyone was genuinely so lovely and welcoming, and it immediately made me realise that I missed that part of the military; that feeling that you are not alone.  Turn To Starboard are all brilliant people and they were all so kind in putting me onto the Skipper Scholarship Scheme.  

My time with Turn To Starboard has got me back to being in a team and being part of something. I have renewed self-worth, and a purpose to my life moving onto what could be a new career. I wouldn’t be in this position if it hadn’t been for Turn To Starboard. I love that the nature of sailing is that everyone has to work together and help each other.  

I passed my RYA Yachtmaster in September 2023.  I was already volunteering as crew on Spirit of Falmouth, and am now scheduled as a volunteer skipper.