THE P RTAL
February 2013 Page 12 about 1100 Friday and enjoy a fish and chip lunch ! At the Hotel Mediterranee we have dedicated rooms and hospital beds , also a room for Mass . Once there we liaise with the outgoing group . The vehicle then leaves to take the previous group home and the whole thing is reversed . We then stay in Lourdes for a week .
“ ACROSS has two full-time drivers ; two office staff and two staff in Lourdes . We have two vehicles one was new in 2007 and the latest one we had in 2012 . We also have a small vehicle in Lourdes for days out . It might be a trip to Gavarnie , Saint Savin or Bartres . We always visit the Ukrainian church in Lourdes . It is a lovely place .
“ On the final day we have an enormous candle . This is blessed at Mass and goes to the place where candles are lit . We have lunch and depart .
“ The vehicle has three Hospital beds , four bunk beds and eighteen seats that are fully reclining . We may have two or three VIPs confined to bed . There is a Drivers ’ compartment , a Kitchen and a toilet . We have delicious meals including a simple breakfast .
The cost is enormous
“ For us , the Pilgrimage begins when you get on the vehicle . Some groups have Mass on the coach , others don ’ t . We travel via the Channel Tunnel . To manoeuvre on to the railway wagons the vehicle has rear-wheel steering .
“ The cost is an enormous amount . We charge everybody who travels , VIPs and helpers £ 725 per person . That is “ all-in ” including insurance . This raises about £ 500,000 a year but it costs the charity another £ 100,000 to run the pilgrimages . We need to raise this shortfall . Local groups do their own fund-raising . Nationally we rely on legacies , donations , Standing Orders , Gift Aid , Sponsored events and a 200 Club . Every year we have covered our operational costs in this way .
“ Our main challenge is getting helpers for the national pilgrimages . The helpers do not need to be
Catholics , but we do need to have many helpers , general helpers as well as Doctors , Nurses , and priests . Of course , local groups provide their own helpers . Finding people for the national pilgrimages is a real problem . General helpers do need to be physically fit , for it is hard work .
“ For most of our VIPs , going to Lourdes is what they do every year . Most of them do not go anywhere else . Our VIPs may be in a wheel-chair so we have hoists and lifts to help them into the vehicle and on to the bed .
Tom provided a lovely lunch , after which he showed me lots of pictures of various pilgrimages and shots of the vehicle and its blessing at Westminster and in Scotland .
This is most worthy charity and deserves support .
ACROSS is a recognised charity created specifically to provide the pilgrimage of a lifetime by Jumbulance to the Christian Marian Shrine of Lourdes in SW France for those who are sick and disabled ( whom we call our VIPs ).
The Jumbulance is a unique vehicle with ambulance status , specially constructed to carry our VIPs accompanied by able bodied nurses , doctors and helpers .
Priority is given to those in terminal illness , those with progressive diseases and those whose medical conditions make it impossible or impractical to use conventional means of transport .
The aim of all volunteer carers is to allow our VIPs to enjoy a truly memorable religious pilgrimage , but at the same time to do so in a holiday atmosphere which provides the best of both worlds for everyone . The perfect balance of this holiday with Our Lady is sure to bring lasting memories and spiritual fulfilment for everyone .
To volunteer , or to enquire about a pilgrimage go to : http :// www . across . org . uk for all the information you need .