Raising cash for Lourdes pilgrims

Rolls and sausage have helped fund a trip to Lourdes for a group of sick people and their helpers.

The Christian pilgrims are setting off from Paisley’s St Mirin’s Cathedral to the Marian shrine, in France – famed for its reputed curative powers – in September.

And part of the cost of the trip is being met from money raised from the sale of the favourite Scottish treat after Masses.

Cormack Smith is the organiser of the trip. He said: “The trip costs £900 per person, and everyone is asked to pay their own way.

“But not everyone can afford that, so I’m able to say that we can help.

“We had fundraisers after Masses at St Charles’s and St Mirin’s, and we sold rolls and sausage, and had tea and coffee as snacks, and there were raffle prizes too.

“We’ve done that a few times and each one can bring in £200 or £300, so that goes a long way in helping.

“I have also done a few sponsored runs and cycles.”

The group will leave for Lourdes on September 13 in a Jumbulance, which is a specially set up bus proved by the Across charity that has been kitted out to transport the seriously ill or disabled in safety and comfort.

“We will have 25 people going, and eight of them will be VIPs – we don’t call them the sick,” Mr Smith said.

“There will also be two nurses, a priest and volunteer helpers.”

Heading to Lourdes on the Jumbulance will be a big undertaking for all involved.

It will leave Paisley for Lourdes and head down to Folkestone, in Kent, go through the channel tunnel and then travel across France to Lourdes.

“It’s very tiring but it’s worth it,” Mr Smith said.