A young Wymondham woman is joining 85 young people from East Anglia who travel to Australia on Saturday to take part in this year's World Youth Day celebrations, which are taking place in Sydney.

YOUNG Wymondham woman Katie Johnston is on the trip of a lifetime, taking part in World Youth Day celebrations on the other side of the world - and she is writing a special web diary for the Mercury!

As we reported last week, Katie, 18, has been appointed media officer and an assistant group leader on a trip for 85 young people from across East Anglia. They will be attending the World Youth Day celebrations, which are taking place in Sydney, Australia.

The trip includes the Bishop of East Anglia, the Rt Rev Michael Evans, and young people from various areas, including Wymondham, Norwich and Sprowston.

World Youth Day is said to be possibly the largest event that nobody has ever heard of! It is the largest youth event in the world (the largest World Youth Day was visited by 4 million people), and has been organised by the Catholic Church although it is open to anyone aged 16-35. World Youth Day was established in 1986 with the aims to unite young people from around the globe, highlight global issues which the younger generation face, as well as celebrate life and faith.

This year over 500,000 pilgrims are planning to attend the final overnight vigil mass, a two day experience at Randwick Race Course, which will involve dancing, singing, faith and food.

Before the week in Sydney the youngsters will be hosted by a group of Young People in Townsville (North Queensland), events planned include a visit to the Billabong Australian Native Animal Wildlife Park and a beach party at the Lifeguard Club.

For more information you can visit www.wyd.org, or track their progress (or finding out more about future Youth Events) by visiting www.catholiceastanglia.org/youth/.

You can catch up with Katie's diary on the Mercury's websites www.wam24.co.uk and www.dissmercury24.co.uk