RAG Week returns to Warwick, raises £4000 for YMCA

Warwick RAG (Raising and Giving) hosted its annual RAG Week this week, starting on Monday 6 February and raising over £4000 in total.

RAG Weeks are tradition across most universities in the UK, and consist of students fundraising for a given charity.

This year, Warwick RAG chose YMCA Coventry and Warwickshire as the beneficiary, who work mostly with local young people providing a range of services.

The fundraising events have included a Charity Circle before Pop!, a Take Me Out style night with ASOC, and the annual Pie in the Face, which saw numerous students and Heads of Societies raising money to have paper plates of whipped cream smashed into them by friends.

Last night, on Friday 10 February, also saw Warwick RAG host a Sleep Easy – an event YMCA also put on.

The Sleep Easy saw almost 20 students spending the night sleeping rough on the Piazza. This also follows former Warwick RAG President, James Beavis, raising over £50,000 after going homeless at Christmas.

Patrick Lavery, President of Warwick RAG, stated: “We’ve been delighted with how RAG Week has gone this year! Adding a new element to the fundraising with the Pie In The Face and Sleep Out events has proven successful in that we encouraged students to set up their own fundraising pages – this brought in donations from outside of RAG and even the Warwick bubble!

“As well as the gift ordering system adopted last year, we have incorporated some unforgettable events like Take Me Out and maintained an approach to raise awareness about the cause by holding an engaging panel debate.”

The Sleep Easy saw almost 20 students spending the night sleeping rough on the Piazza. This also follows former Warwick RAG President, James Beavis, raising over £50,000 after going homeless at Christmas.

He added: “It’s also been great to have collaborated with many other sports clubs and societies and we had a great response from those wishing to volunteer. All in all it’s been a really enjoyable week!”

YMCA Coventry and Warwickshire commented: “We’re proud to announce that we have been chosen by Warwick RAG (Raising and Giving) as their RAG Week 2017! charity of the year.

“Every year, the student-led group arrange a week-long fundraiser for their chosen charity. Our thanks go to everyone involved in the activities, we really hope that you enjoy taking part and appreciate your support.”