Over the months leading up to World Youth Day in Sydney we'll use this space to give you a monthly profile of different pilgrims travelling to Australia from the Diocese. This month we've been talking to Annabel from the Immaculate Heart of Mary parish in Gt Missenden 

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My name is Annabel Hale and I’m 18.

I have just finished my A-Levels at St. Mary’s School Ascot, I studied French, German and Maths. Now I am looking forward to my gap year and after that I am planning to study Modern Languages at Uni.

In my spare time I have always loved playing tennis and I started playing squash a couple of years ago which I really enjoy as well. I also spend a lot of time just relaxing and chatting with friends.

I go to the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Great Missenden. As I have only just finished boarding school I was much more involved there than at home, though. At school I was a Eucharistic Minister and a member of the ‘Peace and Justice Society’ which I really enjoyed. Last summer I went with my school on a pilgrimage to Lourdes which really encouraged me to get involved with the PYD programme. During my gap year I hope to become more involved at the Immaculate Heart of Mary by helping lead the Children’s Liturgy of the Word sessions.

Part of the reason I signed up for PYD was that I really wanted to get to know other young Catholics in the area. Obviously, the fact the Australia was involved also influenced my decision! PYD has given me the chance to share my faith with other enthusiastic young Christians and it has been a fantastic experience - so far! The preparation weekends have been great, we have been able to get to know each other and I already feel that I have learnt a lot.

The Photo is from the practice walk that Lizi Martin (who is also part of PYD) and I did in preparation for the 50 mile sponsored walk that we did along the Grand Union Canal to raise money for the trip to Australia. Luckily we did not get lost on the actual walk!

I am very excited for the trip to Australia, the whole trip should be great but I am especially looking forward to all the excitement of the Vigil Mass. Camping out all night should be an amazing experience. I think it will also be amazing to meet other young Christians from all around the world.