A CHARITY that sends youngsters from York on a pilgrimage is celebrating its fifth anniversary with an event in the city.

The Children's Pilgrimage Trust Group 96 York plans to send six children with disabilities from the city on a trip to Lourdes later this year.

The local group, a branch of the national charity, has sent about 30 children for a holiday to the famous French town and has raised more than £20,000 since it was established.

Now it plans to hold a fundraising day next month to fill a £1,200 shortfall for this year's trip.

The group will serve teas and refreshments at St Crux Church hall, in Pavement, on February 16, to try to plug the gap.

John Mason, events co-ordinator, said: "It is a good thing to do for the children and it gets them away.

"Originally, it was done through the Roman Catholic church but it has grown strongly since then.

"The children we have taken in the past are from really diverse backgrounds and have really diverse special needs."

The group funds the trips for youngsters from the city and two adults per child, a nurse and a doctor to offer care throughout the holiday.

Children who go on the trips have a range of learning disabilities and special needs, and many require specialist care.

John said: "A lot of these children have not been away because they do not have the facilities.

"We take doctors and nurses with us, so it is a holiday that the kids have perhaps never had.

"It offers some respite for the parents.

"Anything we need we take with us, including things like respirators and inhalers."

The group meets at Our Lady's Church, in Acomb, about five times a year, and John said it was always looking for new members.

He said: "We would like people to say what they can do with fundraising for us and join in at our events."

Anyone who wants to get involved can email John at hcpt.96@ntlworld.com or phone him on 0113 210 3325.