Every helper in every Group is responsible for paying their own fare, there is some assistance available, and Groups can engage in fundraising activities (once all the costs for the children are covered). The Easter fares can be seen on the Easter pages. This is fully inclusive of flights, taxes and transfers and 7 nights full board accommodation.  
If you do want to get involved, why not come along to a local fundraising event?  
If you do wish to make a donation to the Trust, or to your local Group, you can of course do so. Please see our donations page for ways to do this.  
All helpers must complete an application form. There are no exceptions to this. Application forms should be completed and returned to HQ no later than 31 January.
All helpers must apply for and Enhanced CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) Disclosure. When invited to join a Group your Group Leader will advise you of the procedure for this.
All new helpers and any helpers who have not travelled with us in the last two consequtive years must also give the names of two referees, and have an interview with the Group Leader.  
Only when the application form is complete, two references are received, and interview has been conducted and an Enhanced CRB disclosure received will the Group Leader be able to confirm your place in the Group. You will be expected to attend a Regional Preparation Day, as well as a number of Group meetings. Meeting with the families of the children who are coming to Lourdes with the Group is a vital part of helper preparation.  
Helpers should be at least 18 years old in Groups looking after children, some Youth Groups take children aged 16 to 18, though these are usually college or Parish based.  
From the start of the trip (and that starts before we leave the UK) the empahsis is very much on ensuring that all the children in the Groups have a wonderful fun filled week. Each Group designs its own programme of events (see here for a sample programme) and activities but a few things are common to all Groups:

• Tuesday evening, the Torchlight procession. This is a wonderfully visual and emotional event. All the pilgrims in Lourdes are invited to come together for a torchlight procession, singing along. The procession finishes in the Rosary Square and on Tuesday night, when HCPT lead the procession, there is a great sing-along at the end. Some pictures from the Torchlight procession can be seen in our Photo Library
• Thursday morning - the Trust Mass. All 5000+ members of HCPT, IHCPT, ASCPG and many many friends, come together in the Undergrond basilica. For many this is the highlight of the week. Pictures of the Trust Mass can be seen in our Photo Library

Apart from these events, each Group will be visiting many of the locations in Lourdes which are relevant to the life of Ste Bernadette - the house where she grew up, the 'Cachot', and some of the many museums in the town.  
Most Groups have an excursion day out. A traditional and still popular destination is Gavarnie, high up in the Pyrenees. This is a spectacular venue where some days Groups make snowmen and other days it's shorts and t-shirts!  
As a helper in a Group your role will be to help in any way required. This can be cleaning and feeding, playing, leading a sing-song, or anything else the Group (or children) ask of you!  
 
Getting ready for a trip away can be very exciting, and if it is a child's first trip away from home, can be an anxious time for children and parents alike. You will need to be able to ensure the childrens' parents are confident that their child will have a happy, safe week in Lourdes.  
Some things you will need to do:

• Ensure you have a valid passport
• If you have a non UK passport, do you need a visa to enter France? More details can be found on the website of the French Consulate in London, which also includes details of how to go about applying for a visa.
• An EHIC card. The Euopean Helath Insurace Card (EHIC) has taken over from the old E111, which is now no longer valid. EHIC can be requested on-line, or through the post office. We strongly recommend that you apply for an EHIC as soon as possible. This card ensures that in the event of any medical treatment being required in France, that the NHS will pay most of the bills.
• Pack a range of clothes - but not too many! The weather in Lourdes can vary quite quickly from being warm and sunny to heavy rain. Your Group Leader will be able to give you a sugegsted clothing list.
• Spending money. The streets of Lourdes are well known for the wide range of souvenir items available for purchase, the HCPT shops in Lourdes and Hosanna House sell only HCPT branded goods and clothing - well worth a visit!

 
. If there is an emergency, you can contact your Group Leader by phoning the Hotel. If you cannot find the number, you can call HCPT HQ at the Hotel Solitude (+335 62 42 70 70) and we wil try to pass on a message. If you are just phoning for a chat or to see how things are going, please remember that the groups are out and about most of the time and the schedules are usually quite tight.  

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Useful links: About the Easter Pilgrimage | Easter Freelance form | Easter Factsheet |

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