Renal patient on Lourdes pilgrimage hospitalised

One of the 28 renal patients who are in Lourdes on a trip sponsored by HSBC Lifecycle will be staying in the French village's hospital when the rest of the group returns to Malta today.

The man was admitted to hospital with chest pains on Tuesday and is under observation probably until tomorrow, spokesman Louise Bugeja said yesterday.

The renal patients, aged between 14 and 84, forming part of the national pilgrimage to Lourdes organised by the Għaqda Maltija għat-Trasport tal-Morda f'Lourdes, yesterday took part in a procession with the Holy Eucharist, attended international Mass together with thousands of other pilgrims from all over the world and went on a tour in the footsteps of Bernadette.

The 10-day HSBC Lifecycle Strait to Africa will this year be held from August 14 with the challenge starting in Lourdes from where the cyclists will cross to Spain and Gibraltar, finishing in Morocco. It is the first time that Lifecycle is venturing out of Europe.

Donations to Lifecycle can be made via SMS on 5061 7378 (€2.33), 5061 8927 (€6.99) and 5061 9219 (€11.65).

www.lifecyclechallenge.com