RAG Week at Imperial raises over £5,000 for charity

Imperial's RAG committee has announced that it has raised more than £5,000 across five hectic days of fundraising on campus.

This is on top of £25,000 already raised since the beginning of the academic year through events such as a bike auction, a Halloween-themed bucket collection and taking part in the moustache-growing challenge Movember.

The highlight of the week was Monday’s bungee jump from a crane next to the Queen’s Tower which saw 113 volunteers take the 200 foot (60 metre) plunge.

All the money raised this year will go to RAG’s nominated causes; international development charity Practical Action, Breakthrough Breast Cancer and Caritas Anchor House, a residential and life skills centre for homeless people in Newham.

Zoe Camp, from the charity Caritas Anchor House, said: "As a small charity getting people involved is really important to us, so having the whole Imperial student body behind us for the week is really great.

“We’re currently running an appeal to raise £9 million to build 25 new ‘move on flats’ to help support our residents in the transition between staying with us and living independently. The money raised this week through Imperial RAG will be real help to our work.”

 As well as students, a number of College staff also took the leap of faith in the name of charity. Tiffany Goodchild, PA to the Director of Corporate Partnerships, raised over £830. Tiffany said: "Doing the jump was a great feeling. I really wasn’t as nervous as I expected and I’d definitely recommend giving it a go if you ever get the chance. The view up there was amazing too.

“I’ve had so much support and everyone has been really generous with their donations. There are some really great causes this year and it’s great to have raised so much for them.”

For those wishing to keep their feet on the ground there was a range of other activities through the week to get involved in, including a Bubble Football tournament that took place on the Queen’s Lawn on Thursday. Throughout the day teams donated money before donning giant inflatable bubble costumes and playing five-aside games with an oversized ball.

Due to demand the planned RAG Week Jailbreak has been postponed until the end of term to allow more people to take part in the challenge.

Bubble Football

RAG Chair Callum Kirk from the Department of Medicine said: "We’re really proud to have raised over £5,000 so far this week for our three amazing charities. With sponsorship money pouring in and Jailbreak still to come so we’re looking forward to seeing the total grow and grow in the coming weeks! 

“We introduced a whole range of brand new events this year to maker sure that there has been something for everyone and we're so pleased with the number of people who've found a way to take part."

2013/14 RAG Committee

To find out more about all the RAG Week events, the upcoming Jail Break or to make a donation visit the RAG Week website.

For all the latest RAG news throughout the year follow @ImperialRAG on Twitter or visit the ICU Rag page on Facebook.