Scottish Catholic Observer

For the past 16 years, the Joint Services Hosanna House Group 507 has joined the annual International Military Pilgrimage to Lourdes—making a great effort to take as many servicemen/women, ex-service veterans or any of their family members who suffer from a disability on pilgrimage with them.

Affiliated to HCPT The Pilgrimage Trust, the joint service group ‘recognises, appreciates and values the work of our service personnel’ and offers a one-to-one ratio of carers and volunteers for each person they take on pilgrimage.

In May each year, the group fly to Lourdes, the small French town at the foot of the Pyrenees made famous for the Marian Apparitions, where they join 25,000 servicemen and women from many Christian nations for the annual International Military Pilgrimage.

The joint services group stays at Hosanna House, situated a few kilometres from Lourdes, overlooking the snow-capped mountains to the south.

Hosanna House caters for young people and adults with special needs and disabilities, providing them with the opportunity to experience a pilgrimage holiday in a safe and caring environment.

It is a place, according to Andy McDonald MBE, a former Royal Navy Warrant Officer who founded the Joint Service Hosanna House Group in 1995, that represents ‘a little bit of Heaven on earth.’

Seeking support

Although a successful pilgrimage is enjoyed each year, it is a nagging annoyance for Mr McDonald that Scotland is vastly under-represented when it comes to taking ex-servicemen and women to Lourdes and enjoying the luxurious setting and facilities offered by Hosanna House.

He shrugs off the low turnout at a recent Scottish fundraiser for the joint services group, which was held last month in Bannockburn, but he hopes the 2012 pilgrimage, and more fundraising events prior to next May, can increase interest in the group in Scotland, bring a change in outlook to the pilgrimage north of the border and, most crucially, provide the opportunity for serving and ex-service men and women with a disability from Scotland, to enjoy a week they will never forget.

“We are not getting much of a response from Scotland at all and this is something we want to change,” Mr McDonald said. “We are wanting to hear from people who may wish to nominate veterans and people, male or female, who may wish to volunteer themselves as a carer or helper for the pilgrimage. We’ve been going to Lourdes successfully from England for 16 years but in Scotland we need more. I’m sure we could manage to get at least ten ex-servicemen or women who could come to Lourdes with us.”

Mr McDonald noted that the joint services group is run on the mission that ‘we all owe so much to our ex-servicemen and women,’ therefore, ‘when they become veterans who are in a special needs situation’ the group ‘feel it in our hearts for at least a week in the year to try and make their life a little more rewarding for these sometimes forgotten heroes.’

“If you want to experience Lourdes in a very unique way then apply to help or nominate somebody you think would benefit from the pilgrimage,” Mr McDonald said. “If you don’t know an ex service man or woman you can come yourself and help somebody else enjoy this experience as best they can. It takes a bit of soul searching but there is such a reward.”

Impact

Having previously gained 15 years experience working with HCPT, prior to establishing the joint services group, Mr McDonald has travelled to Lourdes on more than 30 occasions and he has little doubt about how much of an impact a pilgrimage to the south of France trip can have on an individual.

“It is a unique experience,” he said. “If you had a list of the top ten things you wanted to do in your life then this would be in the top three. The way for people to answer the Lourdes message is to bring the sick there. But you need to answer the call and put yourself out there.”

The joint services group is renowned for creating a family atmosphere environment each year and always makes the most of its time in Lourdes. The week-long trip is filled with events and—in addition to joining the International Military Pilgrimage—the joint service group includes tours of Lourdes and days out in some of the surrounding towns in its itinerary.

Evenings are traditionally set aside for entertainment, with the Hosanna House team no strangers to hosting quiz nights, games, talent shows and the annual group barbecue.

Mr McDonald noted that some pilgrims, however, also like to visit the famous Lourdes Grotto and Shrine to Our Lady at night time, moments that are ‘really very special, memorable times.’

Determination

Despite his disappointment at the most recent fundraising event, Mr McDonald is determined that the people of Scotland can help make a difference to the joint services group, and a further event is planned in Denny in February.

“I’m sure there is somebody out there that knows somebody that deserves to be nominated for the pilgrimage,” he said. He urged people to get in contact prior to Christmas, ‘which is a very busy time in terms of administration,’ and think about how they can help add to the experience enjoyed by present and ex-servicemen and women, be it by nominating somebody to go on pilgrimage or by putting themselves forward as a carer or volunteer for the week.

Speaking of the charity’s motto, Help us to help them, Mr McDonald said: “It’s as simple as that. Even if you can’t go yourself you can do your bit to help us. We are looking to help the families of ex-service men and women, it’s about the full family.”

Although appreciating the high costs involved with going on pilgrimage, especially in a financially challenging climate, Mr McDonald revealed his mantra, which, perhaps, aptly sums up why the joint services group is still enjoying continued success 16 years after its foundation.

“I have always said to people, at fundraisers and the pilgrimages: ‘If you don’t enjoy yourself, you can have your money back’… I’ve not had to put my hand in my pocket yet!”

-        The next Scottish fundraiser for the Joint Services Hosanna House Group 507, a charity concert night—at which the group are looking for volunteers to particpate in—will take place at St Alexandra’s Church hall, Denny, on February 18. For further information on the fundraiser and to nominate somebody to join the joint services pilgrimage, which will run from May 10-18, 2012, or to express an interest yourself, Andy McDonald can be contacted by telephone at: 01786 818531 or by email at: [email protected]. Further information on the group and Hosanna House can be found by visiting the website: http://www.jshhg507.com

Pilgrims down through the years

David’s story

My name is David and I am a veteran commando gunner. I am 61 years

of age; I suffer from Parkinson’s  disease and was diagnosed nine  years ago.

In April, I underwent brain surgery to hopefully control my condition. This was a trial operation over five years. I was surprised to be asked if I would like to go to Lourdes for seven days. I was dubious to begin with, not being too religious myself, but I need not have worried.

Hosanna House was a magnificent place and the team who cared for us were brilliant. So many times I have been made to feel inadequate as a person just because I am disabled but that feeling was far from my mind during my stay with them.”

James Renshaw

James is the son of an able seaman. He is registered blind, and suffers from haemoplegia down his left side. Now 36 years old he was involved in a collision with a car when he was eight. He has been to Lourdes with JSHHG several times.

“We are regularly updated on what is going on and then we choose whether we take part, I nearly always do as I feel that is the reason we are all there,” he said. “We have lots of things to do during the day and in the evening there is some kind of activity going on. We are not told when to go to bed but we have to remember that we have to be up early in the morning if we want breakfast and

to get ready to go out. I personally enjoy it and would love to go every year.”

Nigel Williams

Nigel is a retired Royal Marine, he joined the Royal Marines and 45 Commando in 1980. During his time in the Royal Marines he spent two years on the Royal Yacht, several tours of duty in Iraq and Bosnia and whilst serving abroad he was injured twice by gunshots.

Between 1996 and 1998 Nigel participated on a junior commando course when stationed at Lympstone. Sadly on April 6, 1998, Nigel was involved in a road traffic accident. This left him severely disabled and ended his military career.

Nigel has been to Lourdes on many occasions and always wears his ‘Green Beret’ with pride.

Rodney Roebuck

Rodney served 34 years in the Royal Navy as a shipwright. He made his first visit to Lourdes in 1999 with his friend Mike and on his return it was discovered that a tumour had developed on the optic nerve in his right eye. This was later removed and Rodney had to adjust to a new way of life.

Together with Mike as his carer he again visited Lourdes with JSHHG 507 in 2007 and it was whilst he was there he became very worried about the sight in his remaining eye.

Following more investigations he went back to hospital on July 27 2007. The operation was not successful and he died of a heart attack on August 6 2007. ‘Gone but not forgotten.’