Create a Crossword for Charity with John Halpern
DECEMBER 30TH 2022, 2PM – 4PM
The crossword will be themed on Indian Food and Culture
Join John Halpern, the UK’s No 1 crossword setter, for a one-off, crossword-creating show to raise money for A Leg To Stand charity*
John Halpern and friends set up A Leg to Stand in 2017 to ensure a community of 20 people in India dealing with the effects of Leprosy and abandoned by their families, are fed, cared for, and receive medical aid.
Their situation is complex, and in order to assess their further needs John intends to fly out to their village in Odisha for ten days in February, check their accommodation - some of which has been bulldozed by the government - liaise with authorities and Leprosy charities, and ensure our man on the ground is empowered to support them as much as possible.
He also intends to give all members of our Indian community a big hug!
While John’s wife has kindly offered up her air miles, we estimate we’ll need at least a further £1000 to cover transport, food, accommodation. Your money will go specifically to this trip.
John will also document the entire ten days on film, and will share the film with attendees to the event, so you can see what a difference you’ve made. **
*A Leg To Stand provides people inflicted with leprosy across Paralakhemundi, with food and medicine.
**A voluntary donation is requested for your attendance. When directed to leave a message, please write the word CROSSWORD in capital letters, so we can assign your donation to my Indian trip. Of course should you wish you can add a further comment. Thank you so much.
What happens on “Create a Crossword for Charity’?
John and special guest create a cryptic crossword on a theme
Help choose the words to fit into the puzzle
Help fit those words together, like a jigsaw
Help create mysterious clues for your favourite words
Language will never be the same again!
Create a crossword on Indian Food and Culture
learn from the Uk’s no. 1 crossword setter aka ‘Paul’, ‘Dada’, ‘Mara’, ‘Punk’.
“Fabulous company, great fun and a freshly-baked cryptic - what’s not to like?”
“John Halpern generates waves of love among crossword fans”
“The Most Fun You’ll Have with Your Clues on”
Get to see the step-by-step process of creating a cryptic crossword.
Witness a wordplay adventure
Understand why certain words are chosen - and certain words not
Choose great words for the puzzle - the ones YOU like.
Fit the words in
Write the clues
John will document the entire ten days on film, and will share the film with attendees to HIS event
Create a Crossword for Charity
This is for you if:
You would love to make a difference to an inspiring charity
You love wordplay, puns and fun with words
You’d love to meet John Halpern
You have an interest in crosswords or language in general
You love to attend original and fun events
Who is John Halpern (aka. Paul)?
Meet the Guardian’s Cryptic Crossword Setter
Hi, I'm John Halpern!
I’m the UK's Number 1 crossword setter, writing for The Times, Telegraph, FT, Independent and perhaps most famously for The Guardian under the pseudonym ‘Paul'.
I am passionate about having everyone fall in love with the fun of wordplay, and believe that honing wordplay skills can contribute to keeping your brain healthy and active.
This is why I have created my masterclasses, workshops and public speaking events to help fans unlock the mysteries of the crossword.
As well as this I offer personal tuition, bespoke gifts and books for all lovers of wordplay and puzzles.
See the magic of creating a cryptic crossword