NAVY NEWS, JUNE 2009 19
30 years of dark
blue at Lourdes
THE MEN and women of
the Senior Service marked
a special anniversary at
Lourdes this year – the
Navy’s 30th year as part of
the Handicapped Children’s
● Mid Scott Hanlon RNR, Alice Low and CPO Shane Hulks
Pilgrimage Trust (HCPT).
From small beginnings at HMS
Raleigh in 1979, the volunteer
helpers from the RN have swelled
to well-established groups at
Plymouth, Portsmouth and
Faslane.
This year the 16 serving
personnel from the Royal Navy
were bolstered by two extra
helpers partway through the week,
when the Second Sea Lord Vice
Admiral Alan Massey and his
Command Warrant Officer WO
Andy Rainey arrived to help for
two days.
This was the first time that
a Second Sea Lord has joined
the group and seen at first
hand the support given to the
● MAA Eileen Harvey, Philippa Moreton, PONN Louisa Mason,
14 RN dependant children with
Mairead Hayes, PONN Anna Snell
disabilities or learning disabilities
who travelled to Lourdes for the
April week.
Cdr Phil Sparke, chairman of
the HCPT RN, said: “2SL and
WO Rainey wasted no time in
rolling up their sleeves and joining
in with the day-to-day business of
pushing wheelchairs and chopping
up food, helping the children to
wife Marilyn and I would like to ● (clockwise from 12 o’clock) PO Naval Nurse Anna Snell (DMTC),
do things that most of us are able
take this opportunity to say thank Harry North, PO Naval Nurse Louise Mason (RNH Gibraltar), Bethany
to do without thinking.”
you to Alex and the team, and Price and Mairead Hayes
WO1 (WS) TSM Alex Orr
hope this tradition can continue
added: “This was my tenth year
for many years to come.”
● CPOAEA Shane Hulks (854 NAS), Vice Adm Alan Massey (2SL)
going to Lourdes and the seventh
Before leaving, Vice Admiral
and WO1 SM Alex Orr (HMS Drake Tactical Systems Staff)
as the group leader.
Massey looked back on his
“It never ceases to amaze me at
experience with the HCPT
all the joy this opportunity brings
helpers and children saying: “It
to the children that we take away,
was a privilege to witness at close
but it is not just the children that
hand the wonderful things that
get the joy – the helpers also get a
HCPT has achieved with so many
lot from it as it taps into areas they
children over the years, and it was
never knew they had within them,
impossible for us not to be swept
and skill they would otherwise
along by the spirit and ethos of the
never realise they had. whole uplifting gathering.
“It is a lot of hard work to fund- “I was very impressed by
raise and get to know the children the dedication and caring
throughout the year, but believe professionalism of the group
me I would not be going as long leaders and all the helpers, and it
as I have if I did not get a lot of is wonderful to see so many junior
satisfaction and joy from it.” and senior rates driving HCPT
The week away offers many of activities with real gusto.”
the children a trip of a lifetime, He added: “Their commitment,
and a welcome break for both attention and loving interest in the
them and their carers from home children was quite obvious to see
life. and heartwarming to witness.
Gary, the son of WO2 MEA “There can surely be no doubt
Michael Ferriday, was one of the as to the good that this week
children who visited Lourdes for brings to all the participants and
the week’s events. His father said: I can now appreciate why it is
“If it wasn’t for the wonderful that the helpers are prepared to
RN volunteers these special commit so much to this event year
needs children and their siblings after year.”
would never get an opportunity to The week proved a great
experience the fun and excitement success for all involved, and work
that they have whilst away at is already under way planning for
Lourdes. next year’s event – April 4 to 11
“Both children and carers 2010.
alike bring home such wonderful Any Naval personnel who
memories and it also gives parents wish to know more about the
such as ourselves a much-needed organisation, as a helper or for a
break which we appreciate. child, should contact John Hill,
WO2 Ferriday added: “On the secretary of HCPT RN at
behalf of Gary and ourselves, my hillj@a.dii.mod.uk.
● Flt Sgt Andy Heffer (RAF Brize Norton) with Gary Farriday
019_NN_jun09.indd 1 19/5/09 17:14:24
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52