Since my under-graduate days I have been travelling to Lourdes in southern France with groups of children and young people that have learning needs, difficult home circumstances, or who simply benefit greatly from such a holiday/pilgrimage. Lourdes has the capacity to provide much: in terms of friendships, fun, education and of course spiritually. The story of Lourdes encourages us to focus on what and who counts in life and a visit there can be critical for many young people.
However, it costs around £800 to get each young person to Lourdes. To this end, and to help raise much needed funds, starting on Wednesday morning 17th July I will participate in the annual Peace Walk from Middletown (Co Armagh) to Knock (Co Mayo) Ireland: ending Sunday July 21st and covering a total of 136 miles. The Walk, participated in by around 50 people, is a legacy of ‘the Troubles’ and the desire for Peace in and between Ireland and Britain.
If you would be willing to support helping young people travel to Lourdes in 2020 please donate, either to my own account (Bank of Scotland, 80 12 97, Acc Number 00112054 – if doing this please mark your donation ‘Peace Walk’) or to this Just Giving page.