Issue 146

Load of Old RAGS

09th October 2006

The RAG Society has been knocking around Swansea since the 1930's, but how much do you actually know about them and there fund raising? In the run up to the pinkathon, in aid of cancer awareness month, we take a deeper look into what goes on and how they raise so much money for such a variety of charities.

The RAG society has always had a big part to play in University life, encouraging us students to do our bit for those who aren't as fortunate as us.

RAG stands for Raising And Giving and has been doing so at Swansea for nearly eighty years with a variety of events from the famous Beer Race to the Pinkathon. It is perhaps its huge range of events that help to make the society such a success, as there really is something for everyone.

You'll be hard pushed to find a University without a RAG society; my old Sixth form even had a RAG week, so the concept certainly isn't a new one. RAG has links with many different charities and every year RAG members elect new causes to support, both locally, nationally and internationally. The society is run by an elected committee of RAG relies on the input and creative ideas of it's members to survive.

The general aim of the society is to raise as much money in as many different fun ways as possible, including themed events, raids and the RAG Mag. They themselves proclaim that they are; "The Drinking Society With A Fundraising Problem!!!"

Swansea's RAG society is very successful, raising just under £19,000 last year. Its main event is the Beer Race which is taking place on Wednesday 15th November this year. Last year nearly 2000 students took part, in a course that consisted of dressing up in fancy dress, drinking half pints in pubs along Wind Street and finally ending up in Time & Envy.

Other events that you should look out for include the infamous Slave Auction, raising around £1000 a year, and of course the annual RAG Week, which this year is taking place from 26th Feburary - 2nd March. With a wide range of entertaining and fun ways of raising money for charity.

This month RAG are focusing on running various events surrounding Breast Cancer Awareness week, including a sponsored walk and of course the Pinkathon itself. Take a look at our feature pages for more information.

RAG is a fantastic society and one well worth supporting.

If you would like more information on RAG or would like to join then please e-mail swannyrag@hotmail.co.uk or take a look at their website and myspace pages, http://www.sucs.org/~rag or www.myspace.com/uws_rag.

Dawn Lewis