Students from the White Rose Academies Trust’s family of secondary schools, Leeds City Academy, Leeds East Academy and Leeds West Academy, joined together to walk 5km around Woodhouse Moor Park on Friday 27th April 2018.

​

As part of the International sponsored walk, called WE Walk for Water, the students carried large bottles of water to help promote the need for sanitary water in countries such as Africa. The 27 students selected to take part in the event are all members of the Trust Student Leadership Group or are taking part in The Diana Award Mentoring programme.

​

Recently, the same group of students participated in a celebratory event called WE Day in London. The event is run by the WE Movement charity (a movement that aims to bring young people together and gives them the tools to change the world). WE Day is a celebration of young people making a difference in their local and global communities and this year it was hosted by motivational speakers and inspirational performers, such as Alexandra Burke, The Vamps and Princesses Eugene and Beatrice, who teamed together to promote unity on the Wembley Arena stage. 

​

At WE Day, the Leeds students were informed about WE Walk for Water and all felt inspired to take part.  The students were all asked to raise £15 each (minimum) because for every £15 raised, one person is empowered with a lifetime of clean water.

​

The students set off from Leeds City Academy and completed the walk in one hour. Students commented on how lucky they felt to have access to clean running water and felt it was important to raise awareness for those who are less fortunate.

​

Kailem in Year 9 at Leeds East Academy said: “We are doing the walk to raise money for those who aren’t as fortunate as us. Doing this walk makes me feel very privileged to have running water where I live. I feel very lucky.”

​

Also in Year 9, both Hannah and Ahlam from Leeds City Academy said: “We hope that we can inspire other students to take action and raise money for charity. We now know what it’s like it to be in someone else’s shoes.

​

We feel this a really good challenge and a great opportunity to raise a minimum of £15 each to provide a lifetime supply of water for someone.”

​

Mrs Foy added: “The funds raised by the students will provide hand pumps and rain catchment systems giving families the chance to raise healthy children, run sustainable farms and send their children to school.”