Faith takes Leyland man round the world

9:20pm Thursday 3rd July 2008

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Young Leylander Ben Ward is heading to Australia later this month to represent the area at World Youth Day.

Ben, 20, who is taking a business studies degree at the University of Liverpool, will be travelling as a pilgrim with Animate Youth Ministries from the Archdiocese of Liverpool and will be in Sydney with young people from across the world.

The highlight of the event will be the visit of Pope Benedict XVI who arrives on July 17 and who will celebrate the closing mass on July 20 at which half a million young people are expected.

Ben said: "I'm really looking forward to meeting other young people from all over the world and being part of World Youth Day 2008.

“The chance to learn and discover more about myself and my faith is something that I want to make the most of.

“I have been given a wonderful opportunity to represent both my parish and the local area at one of the largest international events of the year. I'm sure it will be an amazing experience.

“It is not everyday that you get the chance to see the Pope and just to be there is going to be fantastic.”

Ben, who is a former student of St Mary’s High School and Runshaw College, has had to raise £2,000 to pay for the trip and fundraising has included generous support from the Leyland St Mary’s Youth Group, the Knights of St Columba and Progress Housing Group.

World Youth Day was established by Pope John Paul II in 1986 as an annual event to reach out to the next generation of Catholics. The first World Youth Day was held in Rome where it is celebrated every year at a Diocesan level and a major international celebration is held every two to three years in a different host city.

Prior to travelling to Sydney, Liverpool’s 40 pilgrims will be taking part in voluntary community projects in the area of Maitland and Newcastle, around 100 miles north of Sydney.

Ben is still looking for further help from individuals and businesses and anybody interested in doing so should get in touch with him in 01772 421370.