Tom 2009

My Mum & Dad were really pleased to let me have the chance to go, but I was a bit worried about it. I didn’t know any of the helpers (except Roxy) or other young people that would be going and I get very nervous about meeting new people. I have special needs, which means I find it very difficult to understand and talk to people. People don’t always understand me either. I also have autism so routines are very important to me.

But when I met Albie who was going to be my helper I was much happier. I began to look forward to going.

We had to get up very early on Easter Sunday it was still dark! But I was very excited so it didn’t worry me. We had to go to a church in Southampton, where we got on a coach which took us to Gatwick airport. There were lots of other people travelling with HCPT, but I knew everyone in Group 170 would be wearing blue & yellow so I didn’t get lost.

We did lots of fun things when we were at Lourdes, like going to a very old church at St Savin where I stood up and said a prayer in front of lots of people. Albie and I had written it together. We went to the shrine of Our Lady where St Bernadette saw Mary a long time ago. We had games on a common & had lots of races, it was great fun! We got to eat loads of different things. We even went on a torchlight procession. That was brilliant because we got to hold glowy sticks. One evening we had a pirate party where we all dressed up as pirates and played games. We also had a talent night.

On the Sunday after Easter we had to come home, I felt sad because I had made some really good friends. Bernie, one of the helpers, was really funny and I liked Fr PJ because he blessed everything. All of the helpers were really good and I knew if I was worried about anything they would be happy to help me.