Worcester parishioner to cycle 800 miles to join this year’s Lourdes Pilgrimage

Parishioner and school governor Frank Tota has set himself a big challenge - to cycle 800 miles to join this year’s Diocesan Lourdes Pilgrimage.

The 70-year-old of St George’s, Worcester, is intending to join the hundreds of pilgrims on day one of the Pilgrimage, Monday 25 May, after a mammoth 20-day journey.

Frank, a retired RE teacher of Blessed Edward Oldcorne Catholic College, and now a governor there, will set off from Worcester on Tuesday 5 May - and apart from the ferry crossing he will be cycling all the way to Lourdes.

His (self-funding*) cycling challenge will help raise funds to complete the St David’s Medical Centre in Nyandoro, Zimbabwe, of which the parish and school community have been involved in fundraising for several years.

The Medical Centre structure is completed but a further £10,000 is needed to furnish the building with equipment. It will then be ready to use.

Fundraising for the project has been led by Sonya Thomas, deputy headteacher at Blessed Edward Oldcorne, since 2014 after a student with family in Nyandoro talked about the lack of medical provision in the region. But the project was halted for several years when Covid struck and has been hit by political turmoil and hyperinflation.

“St David's Medical Centre is almost completed but it needs to be furnished and supplied with medical equipment,” said Frank. “Once this is done the government will take over running the medical centre, ensuring there are medical staff.

“This is a last push for fundraising.

“Lourdes is very important to me, I have attended in some role since 2008, most recently as a hospitalier and choir member. I caught the ‘Lourdes bug’!

“Taking on this cycling challenge for the centre, which will get me to Lourdes, is bringing two very important aspects of my life together.”

The project already has the blessing of Archbishop Bernard Longley and Frank is sure to be welcomed with open arms when he arrives in Lourdes.

He can then enjoy the Pilgrimage before taking the train home.

Frank is due to set off from the Blessed Edward Shrine (where Edward was martyred) at the top of Red Hill, Worcester, on Tuesday 5 May, after attending morning Mass at St George's. Frank will aim to track his cycling progress on Facebook.

He has been in training for the sponsored cycle ride for at least three months, and to simulate the weight of 5kg in each pannier puts in heavy old curtains (pictured). Whilst cycling Frank will also display the flag of Zimbabwe he has had printed, and use it during the candlelit procession in Lourdes.

Sonya added: “This Lent I have launched the 'One Thousand Hearts' campaign - the theory being that if 1,000 people (the rough number of students in our school) donated or raised £10, then we would raise £10,000 - enough to complete the build. The Zimbabwean local authorities have stated that they will take over upkeep of the medical centre once it is built. Fingers crossed!

“The students and their families have surprised me by their generous support for this Lenten campaign, however the biggest boost to our hopes has been the amazing gesture by Frank to carry out a staggering 800-mile sponsored bike ride to Lourdes!! Keeping in mind also his previous fundraising activities he is a truly wonderful example of someone living out God's mission.”

Visit the school website for more information

Please donate to Frank’s cycle ride, if you are able to. Thank you. 

*Frank will be paying for all expenses during the cycle ride (travel, accommodation, meals etc).

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