STUDENTS from Holy Family School spent their half-term holiday supporting the sick and infirm on a pilgrimage to Lourdes.

A party of 24 young pilgrims from the Keighley school developed their own faith and spirituality through serving others on the trip to the town in the south of France.

Holy Family has more than 40 years of service in Lourdes, 25 of them working with the Society of Our Lady of Lourdes (SOLL) which takes the lead in organising the national pilgrimage.

This year SOLL had 92 pilgrims in their group, which provided the students with plenty of work.

The Holy Family contingent also assisted the Massabielle Group from Keighley, which took a group of 50 people to Lourdes in the same week.

Under the supervision of the staff, students worked shifts in the hospital and provided general help for the pilgrims, such as nursing care, helping with mobility or simply interacting with them.

The students were also actively involved as ministers at the various prayers and services that took place during the week.

James Findlay, the leader of this year’s pilgrimage, said: “Our students were an absolute credit to themselves and the school and deserve the highest praise for their efforts.

“I heard nothing but positive feedback of our students and their conduct throughout. The students enjoyed their week and came away with their own personal experiences.

“As usual the name of the Holy Family School is highly regarded and respected by the authorities in Lourdes and that was no different this year.

“Many people and groups spoke to us, relaying their memories of meeting the school group in previous years.”