As a school, we believe one of our core values is to be charitable. Our chosen Charity to support this year is HCPT Group 26.

HCPT Group 26 is part of the wider registered charity HCPT, which for 70 years has offered pilgrimage holidays to Lourdes in the south of France.

Every Easter, our “VIPs” enjoy an unforgettable experience. While in Lourdes, we join the Trust Mass, follow the story of Bernadette, and visit the places where she grew up. Our days are packed with music, excursions, parties, visits to the Grotto. Group 26 has become well known as the bright‑pink group that is always singing.

Our volunteers work tirelessly throughout the year to raise the funds needed through events and charitable donations. It costs around £1,400 to take each child. Families never pay a penny for their child to travel, and every Group 26 helper covers their own fare.

The children we support come from all walks of life, with needs that can be varied and complex. HCPT has built a strong and cherished relationship with St Augustine’s School over many years, welcoming many of its pupils as VIPs. This year, we are delighted that two more pupils from St Augustine’s will join the pilgrimage.

When we travel to Lourdes, we are far more than a group—we are a family. As helpers, we are united by a shared desire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of the children we accompany, and we are continually inspired by their courage, joy, and remarkable spirit.