On 25th September, members of the Academy Council went to represent WA at an event at the Victoria Rooftop Gardens to support The Passage, which helps homeless people in London.

It was such a fun night, but also super meaningful because we got to learn more about how The Passage is making a huge difference for people who don’t have a home.

Everyone was so friendly, and there was a lot of positive energy in the air. You could feel that these people really cared about making a difference. One of the best parts of the night was this massive crossword challenge, but it wasn’t just a regular crossword you sit down and solve at your table. This one got us up and moving around the event, finding clues and learning about The Passage and the awesome work they do.

We had to go from station to station, where people from The Passage or event volunteers gave us facts about how the charity operates. Some of the clues were pretty tricky, and we had to work together to figure out things like how many languages their team speaks, how they help people find temporary accommodations, and the different types of support they offer to those in need. It was so interesting to see how much goes into running an organisation like this. We learnt a lot and it was way more engaging than we ever thought it would be.

By the end, we’d solved the whole crossword, and it felt like a big achievement. Plus, we walked away with a much better understanding of how The Passage is helping people change their lives, considering we donated several thousands of pounds to it last year, thanks to you.

After the crossword, they held a raffle. Unfortunately, we didn’t win anything. But honestly, the real prize was just being part of the event and knowing that every donation was helping The Passage continue its amazing work.

Even though we didn’t win the raffle or come away with any big prizes, the night wasn’t about that. It was about supporting The Passage and the incredible work they do for homeless people in our city. They offer meals, job support, housing advice, and so much more. Learning about all that while doing the crossword made it really clear how important their work is.

The money raised at most WA events last year helps The Passage keep doing what they do and we hope to continue being a part of this and helping this amazing charity. It’s safe to say we all left with a lot more knowledge, a sense of accomplishment from the crossword, and, most importantly, the feeling that we helped support a cause that truly matters.

Bayan, Year 9