About Group 101

Group leaders
Phil and Margaret

HCPT Group 101 is a charity based in Doncaster that raises money to take local children with special needs on holiday to Lourdes, France, every Easter. Group 101 is a family group and takes about 30 people each year. In total, over 5,000 people from all over the world join the HCPT Easter pilgrimage.

Current HCPT Doncaster 101 group leaders Phil and Margaret Hall took over the group in 1995. Group 101 is very much a family group, with Phil and Margaret’s three children and six grandchildren all travelling to Lourdes each year.

Group 101 has fantastic helpers and their dedication and commitment to raising funds is rewarded with a wonderful week in Lourdes at Easter. It is also the enthusiasm and spirit of the helpers that makes the week so special for the children we take.

Over the years, HCPT Group 101 has enabled over 250 children to experience a wonderful week of laughter, singing and happiness. Many of these children have never experienced a holiday before. We help children with physical and learning disabilities, as well as children with other difficulties, for instance those who have been bereaved.

Former Group leaders Paul Hutchinson and Ellen McLaughlin.

HCPT Doncaster Group 101 was formed in 1978 by Jim Lally, and he was soon followed as group leader by Paul Hutchinson. To this day Paul is still closely involved with Group 101 and the Yorkshire Region.  Ellen McLaughlin was the next group leader and she raised funds and took children to Lourdes until she retired as group leader in 1994. Ellen’s influence is still felt in the group as her daughter and granddaughter are members of the group.

Our week in Lourdes

Our Lourdes pilgrimage begins on Easter Sunday. We travel by coach to London, from where we take the Eurostar to Paris. Following an overnight sleeper train from Paris, we arrive in Lourdes and check into the Hotel Jeanne D’Arc on Easter Monday morning.

Hotel Jeanne D'Arc

Our week in Lourdes is busy and filled with activity, yet there is also time to reflect. The grotto is the place where Our Lady appeared to Bernadette and we touch the smooth rock and see the spring as we walk through it. We also light candles and say a prayer for the group and for people back home.

The Grotto

Lighting a Lourdes candle

On Monday we visit the baths and have a session using the water from the spring that Bernadette found. We also walk around the town of Lourdes; we see the cachot, where Bernadette lived with her family, we look inside the impressive church and see the amazing views of the whole town of Lourdes that can be enjoyed from the top of the fort.

The Fort

On Tuesday we travel by coach to Gavarnie in the Pyrenees. Gavarnie is a UNESCO world heritage site renowned for its beautiful landscapes. The views of the mountains are breathtaking and we celebrate mass, eat together and play games on the field. The weather can be glorious sunshine or heavy snow in Gavarnie so we go prepared for anything. After a drink and a sing-song in a café we head back on the coach for our four course evening meal at the hotel.

Gavarnie offers beautiful views

Tuesday evening is the Torchlight Procession. Every HCPT group walks through the domain, each person holding a candle. It is a special occasion as thousands of HCPT helpers and children process like Mary asked us to.

The Torchlight Procession

On Wednesday we sometimes travel by coach to the seaside towns of St Jean de Luz or Biarritz. Alternatively we might play some games on the prairie or visit a café and sing some songs. We also walk the Stations of the Cross, impressive bronze life size statues set in the hillside overlooking Lourdes. Wednesday is also the day of the Yorkshire Region mass. Every member of every Yorkshire group gathers to celebrate mass together.

Group 101 at the beach in St Jean de Luz

The Stations of the Cross

On Thursday we get up early and after breakfast we go to the underground basilica for the Trust mass. Every member of HCPT from all over the world come together and we celebrate a mass that is unlike any other.

A video of Group 101 at the Trust Mass

On Friday we usually travel through the streets of Lourdes on le petit train, being careful not to wet fellow HCPT pilgrims with our water pistols. We have some time to shop for people back home and perhaps have an ice cream in a café.

Le Petit Train

The New Orlean's (formerly Miam Miam) - 101's favourite cafe!

We also have our final group session on Friday. Group sessions take place throughout the week. They are a time for fun, reflection, singing and activities that bring the group closer together. At the final group session we give out photos and cards, with a message from every group member, we walk through the grotto for the final time and we leave the group candle so the 101 flame burns brightly in Lourdes even when we have left.

The group candle

We then say three Hail Mary’s at the statue of the Blessed Virgin to ensure that we will return to this special place. It is then time for us to catch the train home and return to our families. After a short rest we start preparations for next year!

The Blessed Virgin statue

This really just touches the surface of what a week in Lourdes with HCPT Group 101 is like. It isn't possible to accurately put into words the friendship, joy, fun and love that makes the group what it is. It is something you have to experience for yourself!