On Wednesday, 11th September 2024, students from Hammersmith Academy took part in the landmark 20th annual BGC Charity Day, hosted by Cantor Fitzgerald and BGC Partners. The event, held in honour of colleagues who perished on 9/11, donates 100% of its global revenues to the Cantor Fitzgerald Relief Fund and a range of charities around the world. This year’s event marks two decades of charitable impact and commemoration.

As part of the day’s activities, the Hammersmith Academy students were invited to experience the thrill of the trading floor firsthand, participating in a simulated trading experience alongside the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan. The Mayor, attending the event for the seventh time as Patron of the Mayor’s Fund for London (MFL), enthusiastically joined the students in this dynamic setting, helping them navigate trades while offering insight into the financial world.

During their time with the Mayor, the students engaged in a thoughtful discussion, putting forward questions on topics that directly impact their daily lives as young Londoners. From concerns around housing and education to  future of employment opportunities in the city, the students had the chance to speak candidly with the Mayor. In turn, he shared his vision for making London a city where young people can thrive, and he highlighted the importance of initiatives like the Mayor’s Fund for London’s employability and skills programmes.

The Mayor toured the bustling trading floor with the students and observed the real-time trades being made, offering them a great opportunity to see the world of finance and philanthropy in action. For the students, the highlight was undoubtedly their interactions with the Mayor, who took the time to listen to their experiences and share his thoughts on how the city can better support young people.

BGC Charity Day has long been a driving force for change, raising millions of pounds for causes worldwide. Over £485,000 has been donated to the Mayor’s Fund for London to date, supporting a wide range of programmes aimed at improving the lives of young people across the capital. For Hammersmith Academy students, the experience of participating in such a globally recognised event was both inspiring and eye-opening.