A TRIP to Lourdes by handicapped children from across East Lancashire has been featured on national television.

Highlights from the 40th annual Easter pilgrimage to France by the Handicapped Children's Pilgrimage Trust (HCPT) was shown on Songs of Praise.

And the trip included 12 seriously handicapped and terminally ill youngsters from across East Lancashire.

The Trust has distanced itself from a similar charity group which hit the headlines after Pendle MP Gordon Prentice revealed only 20p from every pound donated to Halton Handicapped Children to Lourdes actually reaches the charity.

The rest is swallowed up in the administration costs of Capital Campaigns, a Nelson-based organisation that raises funds for Halton.

There is no connection between the two charities, but because they do similar work, some people have become confused.

HCPT organiser Louise Thistlethwaite, who covers East Lancashire, said: "I can assure people that 100 pence of every pound they give to us is used to benefit the children. I was appalled to hear about this other charity that only gets 20p in the pound."

She added: "Each year we take 12 local handicapped or disadvantaged children to Lourdes for a week. We raise the necessary funds from our local supporters and sponsors. Every penny raised goes to the benefit of the children.

"Indeed more so as our helpers pay for themselves and take a week of their holiday to give comfort and care to our children."

Terminally ill Amy Allan from Blackburn, who suffers from the extremely rare and incurable Batten's disease and Colne's Aaron Titherington who has muscular spinal atrophy were two of the children on the latest HCPT trip.

They gathered at St Alban's Church social centre, Blackburn, to watch the popular religious programme and enjoy a fancy dress party.

Mrs Thistlethwaite added: "Every year the HCPT takes around 6,000 people to Lourdes.

"There are groups all over Great Britain and most of us take 12 children.

"This year was extra special and the Cardinal Basil Hulme took a giant mass in St Bernadette's Basilica in Lourdes and Diane Louise Jordan was there with Songs of Praise.

If anyone wants to support the HCPT they can contact either Louise on 01282 862927 or Canon Jude Harrison at St Alban's RC Church in Blackburn.

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