"A reluctant teenager whose life would never be the same"

In 1980 I was a spotty 16-year-old, rarely thinking about anyone else except me and what rebellious mischief I could get up to! My Mother, having already despatched 4 of my brothers to join HCPT, previously had very different ideas! It was my turn to go and despite me really not wanting to, I would have no choice, I was going and that was final! So I went to Victoria station and, very nervously boarded a special train full of HCPT groups bound for Lourdes on the overnight train! And to my amazement, it was fantastic fun and incredibly rewarding!! Since those early days, I have travelled with HCPT Group 3 (www.hcptgroup3.org) to Lourdes at Easter over 30 times and loved every minute of it!

HCPT is a Christian charity which takes children with special needs on a holiday of a life to Lourdes for a hugely fun and, often life changing week. All of us helpers that go are self-funding and on top of that we raise money so that the children don’t have to pay.

This year I have signed up to take part in THE biggest challenge of my life and that is to cycle 930kms from The Palace de Versaille (Paris) to Lourdes in the South of France, in 7 days. I know it will be tough and I know it will be worth it! And I feel sure that with your help we will continue to do this vital work in supporting the less fortunate in our society.

Please consider giving generously to this worthy cause, not because both my legs and my bottom will, for sure be on fire by the time I get there, but because you can be sure that every £5; £10; £50 or £100 will go towards sponsoring a child this year and enable the charity to continue into the future. Thank you!!