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HCPT - The Pilgrimage Trust is a worldwide charity that takes disabled and disadvantaged children from across the world on a pilgrimage to Lourdes, France every Easter.

HCPT - Group 651, together with our sister group 650 in Jamaica, is known as the West Indies Group (or the 'Windies'). 

This year we are aiming to raise £2000.00 to take 2 children to experience a week in Lourdes.The minimum cost for each child is £1000.00

The aim of the week is to offer respite for families and give the children a safe, exciting and enjoyable learning experience and the opportunity to be like other children.

We do not ask parents or families to pay towards any of the costs for their children. All costs are met through donations and fundraising by group leaders, individual helpers and supporters. Group leaders and helpers pay their own costs. Medical supplies, equipment, activities and travel fares are a few of the resources needed for this venture.

Children  who have been on a pilgrimage with us in past years:

A 15 year old girl with restrictive growth who had also experienced a lot of bullying in school and was challenged with low confidence and low self esteem. During our pilgrimage she was encouraged and supported to participate in leadership roles and activities. She studied Spanish at GCSE and one of the Jamaican helpers, who was a Spanish teacher, communicated in Spanish with her. At the end of the trip, she had greatly improved her confidence, self-esteem and Spanish linguistic skills.

She reported that, in the future, she would like to return to Lourdes as a helper, to offer the same opportunities to other children.

A 11 year old boy with hearing disability and behaviour challenges. To aid communication, some of our helpers took a crash course in Makaton signing. The young man, recognised that our Makaton signing was not always accurate and delighted in teaching us how to sign correctly. He gained a lot of confidence and had a positive impact on the helpers and other children in the group. He enjoyed the Masses and group activities.

We urgently need your support. Please donate as little or as much as you can, through your generosity we hope to fund at least two children's places for our pilgrimage.

The funds received allow us to continue our work and will be used entirely on the children we seek to help.

We thank you for your support. Please share our story with all your friends and family

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