Warwick UNICEF to hold its annual Fast24 event

Warwick UNICEF on Campus will be hosting its annual Fast24 between 18-19 November this year.

Fast24 is an annual sponsored fast in which students can raise money for a designated cause by giving up eating for a whole 24 hours. This year, all money raised will go towards helping the malnutrition crisis affecting children in Liberia.

Liberia is facing a severe malnutrition crisis since the Ebola epidemic, resulting in almost 10, 000 child deaths every year. Part of UNICEF’s work is to ensure delivery of essential micronutrients across Liberia, and help 8,000 mothers save lives.

The fundraising group will be promoting the event throughout week 7 on campus, and raising money via online donation pages. Warwick UNICEF on Campus invites all students to participate in the fast, and spread the message: ‘For Food, Not Fear’.

Last year’s campaign at Warwick University raised a fantastic £9000 for the Yemen Crisis Appeal; not only a record-breaking amount for the University itself, but more than any other Fast24 event nationwide.

After last year’s event, Warwick initiated the promotion of Fast24 to a nationwide UNICEF campaign. Other British universities such as Cardiff and UCL will also be holding Fast24 events this year.

Every year, the event welcomes speakers and performances to inform participants about the cause.

This year, there will be a final meal at Varsity, after which the fast will begin, followed by a Speaker’s Event on 18 November in MS.O5 about the Liberian Crisis.

A performance event from various societies in the SU atrium will take place at 12-7pm on 19 November.

The fast will end later on the evening of the 19 November, and it is hoped to be a successful event in raising awareness of the Liberian crisis.

Second-Year Politics and International Studies Student Shahrukh Sheharyar commented: “Warwick UNICEF on Campus has clearly made amazing progress with their Fast24 event in the past few years, and I hope the next event is even more successful. It’s great that they’ve been encouraging other universities to partake in the event too!”