This August I am going on pilgrimage to Lourdes with the charity Across. They arrange travel for people with disabilities or serious illnesses. Across groups travel using a special bus called a Jumbulance - a jumbo-sized ambulance with beds, a lift and all equipment to help people travel safely and comfortably. Across helps people go away when travel by normal transport is impossible. A trip to Lourdes is a sort of spiritual holiday, allowing people to go somewhere new, share a great experience and enjoy a break from ordinary life.

I am joining a group as a helper, to support the sick or disabled people in our group with whatever care they need. Our group has up to ten sick or disabled "VIPs", two nurses, a chaplain and other helpers. We travel overnight and spend a week together in Lourdes, going to Mass, exploring Lourdes but also going out, shopping, day trips and more. We spend the whole trip together as a family, no time off, we look after each other 24/7.

Each person who travels usually has to pay £700 for the 9 day trip - that's for all travel, hotel, food and insurance. However Across subsidises all young helpers for half the cost of their fare. Even so, it actually costs Across close on £900 per person who travels, so they rely a lot on donations and fundraising to cover their costs and keep subsidising young helpers like me. Because of this, as well as the £350 I need to raise for my fare, I am hoping to raise a bit more for Across, which in turn might help another young person to travel in the future.

I've raised some money through a school bake sale - unfortunately I can't bake cakes for everyone I know! I hope you might still consider sponsoring me . With your help, I can help someone else enjoy a much-needed break - for many this is the only chance they get to go away, and for some it is their last trip. Thank you.