Rebecca Mills, 17, from Lichfield along with a large group of volunteers from the Birmingham Diocese recently made a weeklong trip over to Lourdes to give up their spare time to help those less able to reach the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, one of the most famous sites of pilgrimage in the foothills of the Pyrenees mountains. 

Lourdes is a major place of Roman Catholic pilgrimage and of miraculous healings after the Virgin Mary appeared to Marie-Bernadette Soubirous back in 1858. The site is now seen by over 5 million visitors every year.

Rebecca who is currently studying for her A Levels at St Francis of Assisi said: “We had the opportunity to take pilgrims out to the torchlight procession; this was a beautiful and moving experience in which we heard the rosary spoken in the different languages of the people staying in Lourdes that week. It was an absolute inspiration and we loved getting to know the pilgrims and after speaking to one of them, I found out that she also lived in Lichfield.”

The experience has allowed Rebecca to build up her confidence which she will need as she will be performing one of the main lead roles as Princess Winnifred in the Lichfield Garrick's forthcoming Community Musical, Once Upon a Mattress: “Going and helping the pilgrims at Lourdes has definitely made me more confident in myself, my performing and my faith. I took part in last year’s Community Musical (The Dreaming) and absolutely loved it! It was a brilliant experience that furthered my passion for performing. This year is my last opportunity to join in with the show before focusing on my studies, I’m really glad to be part of something so special” Rebecca added.

Rebecca will be starring alongside a cast of 50 strong performers in the Lichfield Garrick’s forthcoming Community Musical, Once Upon a Mattress, a musical based on Hans Christian Andersen's famous fairy tale, The Princess and the Pea. With a 1920's twist, sparkling with glitz and glamour and backed by a wonderful musical score, the musical is a hilarious, romantic, raucous and rollicking spin on the classic tale of royal courtship and comeuppance.

See Rebecca Mills in Once Upon a Mattress at the Lichfield Garrick from Monday July 30 to Saturday August 4. Tickets start from £13.50 and can be purchased from the theatre’s box office on 01543 412121 or online at www.lichfieldgarrick.com