HUNDREDS more pounds have been raised to help charitable young girls aid the sick and disabled in Lourdes.

A bingo night last week at the Columba Club, Market Street, Cleator Moor, sold 60 tickets to raise cash for the 10 girls who are looking to make the journey.

The event was one of many in the Cleator Moor area as many of the girls looking to take part in the trip are from the town. An all-day bag packing event at Whitehaven’s Tesco on Saturday raised more than £250 and there was a fundraising concert at Copeland Stadium from the Mighty Boof at the weekend, which brought in more than £800.

Fundraisers have just received a £1,000 boost from Whitehaven Town Council – meaning the fund has now reached almost £4,000.

The girls are aiming to help people with disabilities and illnesses visit the pilgrimage site.

They have been organising events to raise the money over the past two months, such as a bag-packing event, raffle and tombola event at Cleator Moor’s Co-op store, which raised more than £250, and a sponsored walk at Arnside.

The girls need more than £5,000 to fund the trip, and the group also needs over £500 for helper t-shirts and transport.

The trip is ran by Castlerigg Manor, which leads the Youth section of the Diocese of Lancaster.

Every diocese in England makes a point of travelling to Lourdes throughout the summer, so the girls will not just be attending to people within their own parish.

The girls still need more than £1,000 so fundraisers are still looking for donations and event suggestions. They are due to head to Lourdes at the end of July.

For more information about upcoming fundraisers or for how to get involved in supporting the girls, please visit St Benedict’s website/Facebook page or contact Richard Teasdale on 01946 692275. Alternatively, call 07517785960.