HCPT was formed in 1956 after a
young doctor, Michael Strode, first took children
with disabilities on a pilgrimage holiday to Lourdes.
At the same time he revolutionised the way children
with disabilities could experience a trip to this
famous international shrine in the foothills of the
French Pyrenees.
Not content with letting children
stay in the usual hospitals and hospices, Dr Michael
wanted them to stay in hotels. As honoured guests
they would be able to get as much out of their holiday
as other children - trips to cafes, a donkey ride
in the mountain and the warmth and affection of a
holiday amongst caring friends.
Forty years later, HCPT and the Irish
Trust (IHCPT:Founded 1972) takes around 2000 children
each year to Lourdes from the UK, Ireland and increasingly
from other countries. The children have a wide range
of special needs physical, mental, social or emotion.
The young people are cared for by voluntary helpers,
including doctors, nurses and chaplains, most of whom
pay for themselves.
The total size of the Easter Pilgrimage
is now about 5000; of whom 1000 come from the Irish
Trust. The pilgrimage is the largest pilgrimage from
the UK and Ireland and probably the largest children's
pilgrimage from any country. There is a smaller pilgrimage
at Whitsun.
The holiday is naturally centered
around the international shrine of Our Lady at Lourdes.
It gives children and young people
ages 7 - 18, with many types of disability or special
needs, the opportunity to experience a really stimulating
and highly enjoyable group holiday with the reassurance
of 'one to one ' help.
From HCPT grew the Hosanna House
Trust (HHT). This was the response to a request from
young adults with disabilities for an opportunity
to experience a holiday similar to the children's
pilgrimage.
Today, Hosanna House, the Trust's residential centre
in Bartres, just outside Lourdes, takes nearly 2000
pilgrims each year. They go in groups of 40 to 50.
Many of them have disabilities or special needs. These
guests stay for a week between Easter and November.
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