STUDENT Gulwali Passarlay went back to his old school to share his inspirational journey from refugee to university undergraduate.

The 21-year-old politics and philosophy student at Manchester University returned to Essa Academy to speak to pupils about his book The Lightless Sky: An Afghan Refugee Boy's Journey.

The book tells of his incredible journey of fleeing his war-torn homeland for a new life in Bolton and the 7,150 mile journey over 12 months at the age of just 12.

Gulwali, who lives in Bolton, said his message was more important than ever given the world is facing its biggest refugee crisis since the Second World War.

He said: "The message I want to get across is to show compassion and understand this crisis in a humanitarian way and not make it political.

"These people are running away for their lives, they are risking everything.

"I want people to see these love and compassion, give them respect and dignity.

"Of course politics is important, but these people should be seen with love and compassion."

Gulwali has been "touring" the UK, Europe and the United States of America promoting his book.

His latest stop was Essa Academy, in Great Lever.

The university student who is in final university, said: "I have been back to Essa Academy quite a few times since I left, but it was very nice to go back and speak to the pupils about my book.

"They asked questions about the journey and why I wanted to come to Britain and why I had written the book.

"They asked how do well in school.

"The questions they asked were very good."

He added: "It has been great to get my message across. I will be going to Italy soon and have already spoken at Bolton Library."

In the coming weeks he is to speak at a conference about the refugee crisis.