HCPT Group 134

If you are interested in referring a child please review the Frequently Asked Questions below. If you are still interested or if there are any other questions you may have please feel free to drop us a line on the contacts page. We would be happy to put you in touch with some of the guardians of the children we have taken before or alternatively view the comments left on the testimonials page.

How many children does Group 134 take?
Each year Group 134 takes around 7 to 10 children from the Wirral on a pilgrimage holiday to Lourdes in the south of France.

What is the age range of the children in the group?
The minimum age of child we take is 7 years old and the oldest is up to and including 17 years old.

Does the child's religion matter?
In a word no. Although Lourdes is predominately a Catholic shrine the religion of the children we take away has no bearing upon our selection. We take children of any faith or indeed of no faith.

How much will it cost?
Absolutely nothing. The group comes under the banner of the registered charity HCPT The Pilgrimage Trust. We undertake fundraising throughout the year to cover the cost of the airfare, hotel costs, excursions, cafe visits etc. Although donations are always welcome we do not allow for any parents to pay directly for their child. We recommend that if the sponsored child wishes to buy any presents for family and friends at home then no more than £20 should be brought.

Where does the Group go?
We go for a one weeks pilgrimage holiday to Lourdes in the south of France. When we're in Lourdes we stay at one of the best hotels the town has to offer the Hotel Solitude.

What does the Group do when they get there?
We basically try and have as much fun as possible. The itinerary changes from year to year but generally we go on excursions to Gavarnie in the Pyrenees, the beach at St Jean De Luz, The Zoo d'Anson and the Trusts permanent home in France Hosannah House. In amongst these excursions we visit the grotto where Mary appeared to St Bernadette, play games on the praire opposite, take part in a torchlight procession, visit cafes for ice creams and sing songs and be part of the Trusts massive mass on the Thursday.

When does the Group go?
We go on Easter Saturday for a week each year.

How long has Group 134 been established?
The Trust is now over 50 years old and Group 134 has been taking children to Lourdes since 1981.

Do the children need to be disabled?
No.

How does the Group select the children?
We select the children based on a number factors such as whether the child or their guardians would benefit from the experience, whether we have the skills and experience in the group to provide the required level of care, whether our Group Nurse and the Trusts Regional Doctor agree that the medical requirements of the child can be met, to name but a few. We have taken children more than once but no more than twice and this is based on individual circumstances. We always give priority to children who haven't been before. Children are normally referred by the local contacts we have at special schools and hospices on the Wirral although referrals can come direct from parents/guardians or from any other source.

How is the Group made up?
We maintain a helper/child ratio of 2:1 respectively to ensure we provide the appropriate level of care. The group is made up of two Group Leaders, a Group Nurse, a Group Chaplain and the core of the group the volunteer helpers. All group members must have a full and enhanced CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) check every 3 years.