I first went to Youth 2000 as a 17 year old, not really knowing what I was going to. Over that weekend in Walsingham I made new friends and questions started to bubble up in my heart.

I'd enjoyed it enough to come back the next year with some more friends, but I was mostly coming for the social element because I was believing the lie that this was for everyone else but me. That God couldn't actually forgive me; that he couldn't love me in the ways that I'd heard people at Youth 2000 speak about before.

It was during a time of reconciliation that I had my breakthrough moment. It was about 11pm in a freezing cold tent in a field in Walsingham where I met the living God through a priest in confession. At the end he said to me: "Jade, don't be surprised if you're up there at the front in 10 years time!" Of course, I didn't believe him.

Well, 10 years later (almost to the day!) I began working for Youth 2000 and what a journey it has been. So many joys, trials, privileges and responsibilities as I play my part in leading young people into a relationship with Jesus Christ through devotion to the Eucharist and Mary.

Youth 2000 offers retreats, festivals, local groups and formation programmes for 16-35 year olds. It creates opportunities for young people to both connect with other young Catholics, and with Christ and His Church ... and we want to be able to do more across the U.K!

For all donations up to £35,000, made before August 2024, Youth 2000 will have them matched by a generous donor - doubling their impact.

Thank you for your support and generosity.

Jade