Students donate £22k to charity

Posted 20 March 2013

Harper Adams University students have raised an impressive £22,000 for charity during the past year through Raise and Give (RAG).

The RAG team, consisting of a Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, organised a variety of fundraising events including themed fancy dress nights out, a sports day, quizzes, BBQs, live music and trips to other cities.

It is the profits from these events, supported and attended by the student body, that have been donated to chosen charities.

Today, the team visited Newport Cottage Care Centre to present a cheque for £1,000 to Acting Chairman, Derek Tremayne. Out-going RAG Treasurer, 19-year-old Sarah Hurford from Devon, said: “Fundraising is a big part of life at Harper Adams and we are always looking for creative ways to raise money.

“We strive to support charities that help the rural community and are very pleased to have raised £3,000 more than our target of £19,000.”

The other nominated recipients for the year include mental health charity, Combat Stress; brain injury association, Headway; and Care Farming UK.

Newport Cottage Care Centre offers day care services for the elderly and disabled in the community. They are able to provide social stimulation for clients and respite for their family or carers.

On receiving the donation, Mr Tremayne, said: “It is absolutely fantastic that the students have chosen to support something for older people in their local community.

“We’re delighted and hope that this is something we can build on. Harper Adams students are welcome to visit us in the future.”

Sarah and the other members of the Students Union will step down this month to welcome the incoming executive.

The term of office spans 12-months and it is during this year that they are set the challenge of smashing previous fundraising totals.

The event that raised the most money this year was the RAG dinner, where clubs and societies are invited to enjoy a meal followed by a promise auction.

Another successful event was ‘Jailbreak’ – a challenge to travel the furthest away from Harper Adams in 36 hours whilst spending as little money as possible and raising money for charity.