Group 37 is a charity group based in the South West who are part of HCPT. “HCPT - The Pilgrimage Trust was formed in 1956 after a young doctor, Michael Strode, first took four children with disabilities on a Pilgrimage holiday to Lourdes.   He revolutionised the way children with disabilities could experience a trip to this famous international shrine in the foothills of the French Pyrenees. Not content with letting the children stay in the usual hospitals and hospices, Dr. Michael wanted them to stay in hotels as honoured guests and to get as much out of their holiday as other children - trips to cafes, a donkey ride in the mountains and the warmth and affection of a holiday amongst caring friends.

Now, HCPT takes to Lourdes almost 2000 children from the UK, Ireland and increasingly from other countries. The children have a wide range of physical and mental disabilities, or are physically and emotionally deprived or neglected. Cared for by voluntary helpers, including doctors, nurses and chaplains, the total size of the Easter Pilgrimage is now about 5000; the largest pilgrimage from the UK and Ireland and probably the largest children's pilgrimage from any country.”

We are hoping to take 13 children to Lourdes on the Easter pilgrimage 2013. The helpers and children are from the South West, including members from Gloucester, Bristol, Cheltenham, Stroud and the Forest of Dean. We are travelling as helpers and full time carers of the children. As helpers we pay our own fees. We also raise money to sponsor children to travel. The cost of sponsoring a child is £710 - this is excluding café stops, sweets for the children and general treats for the week.

 

We are hoping to raise money and are writing to you for any support you are able to give to help with the children’s fees.

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