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We like to call our unable travellers our VIPs, and we are always happy to hear of someone new who would benefit from and enjoy one of our trips - thus becoming a VIP for the week - and when selecting members for each year’s trip we will give priority to people who have not been with us before, providing that the holiday will be suitable and appropriate for them.

 

Our prime aim is to take physically disabled adults, who would not be able to have a holiday abroad without our physical and financial assistance and so our VIPs do not pay for flights, accommodation, food or excursions, although  they may give us a donation if they wish to do so.

 

The week is spent as any normal group of friends pass time on holiday and activities can include trips into Lourdes town, excursions into the mountains, or just sitting on the terrace chatting, plus a varied programme of evening entertainment. There is plenty of fun, laughter and friendship with an underlying spiritual content.  Apart from three spectacular public ceremonies, the religious activities are optional, and the selection of our VIPs does not take into account the religion, or lack of religion, of any applicant.  

 

But some problems we encounter include not being able to take electric wheelchairs, (which means that the weight of the applicant for pushing has to be taken into account) or anyone who needs to travel on a stretcher during the flight.  Other criteria we apply to selection are that the VIP should not have been on holiday for the past two years. However, each applicant is considered individually, and the group always regards it as a bonus if, by offering a holiday to a VIP, we enable a carer to have a well deserved break from their daily routine.

 

Each VIP will be matched up with a voluntary carer (of the same sex) for the trip and they will get to know their VIP before the holiday, share their room and be helper and friend for the week.  Our nurses supervise the carers and offer assistance and advice when, and if, it is needed.

 

The group nurses visit all prospective VIPs prior to selection to explain the care we can offer and they will also be honest if they feel that the holiday will not be appropriate for any reason.

 

We welcome nominations for VIPs and if you wish to discuss whether some-one is suitable for the trip please contact Mary Renouf, Trip Co-ordinator  (phone 858187) for further information.  She will be able to answer your questions, provide a DVD of previous trips or arrange for a nurse to visit your home.