We are HCPT Group 710 Collis.
We are a Service Group who travel with HCPT to Lourdes each Easter who take disabled and disadvantaged children on life changing pilgrimage holidays. 710 Collis varies in size year by year, but are always led by Group Leader Martin Hutchinson, and is made up from helpers from all over the UK, with differing day jobs and reasons for travelling.
As a service group in Lourdes, we spend a section of our time carrying out centralised duties for HQ, this can include anything from helping at the airport with baggage, working in reception to marshalling at the masses throughout the week, supporting in the activity centres that HQ establish, facilitating events for the region and many other tasks.
We also support in family groups where needed, we will initially contact groups before we travel to see if they know they will require extra support, for example when on trips, however as one of the few service groups as over 18 we also operate as a ‘parachute’ group. This means that if a family group is short of helpers through the week, or finds they have a child who requires more attention than initially thought, we can assist in those group situations to ensure the safeguarding of the children and helpers alike.
HCPT is a registered charity offering pilgrimage holidays, to Lourdes in the south of France, for disabled and disadvantaged people from around the UK and further afield. The letters "HCPT" stand for the Hosanna House and Children's Pilgrimage Trust.
Every Easter around 1,000 disabled and disadvantaged children enjoy a fun and safe week in Lourdes, staying in hotels with their volunteer helpers.
HCPT is a charity with its roots in the Catholic faith. Our services are open to all. Volunteers and beneficiaries come from all walks of life and from all faiths and none.
Very simply, it improves the lives of the Children who we take to Lourdes. It gives those children opportunities that they may not get at home.
For our Easter pilgrimage, helpers need to be open to getting involved with whatever is needed to ensure the week goes as well as it can, to support those in the family groups. Our 710 team needs to be able to work well together, to be open and accepting of all and to be enthusiastic about the cause. There are no specific requirements (you don't have to be Catholic) and all training is provided ahead of the trip.
Our Opportunities
The opportunity to travel with HCPT 710 as a Volunteer Helper to Lourdes in France - Easter 2024. Travelling for a week, 710 support the Pilgrimage and assist in ensuring the children who are taken have the best week.