RAG

For well over a century, student RAG’s (or Charities Appeals are some are known as) have organised events throughout the year in order to raise much needed funds for a variety of local and national charities. 

In 1882, a professor at Oxford described students there as, “wasteful idlers who are only interested in alcohol, tobacco and student RAG.”  Well he was right about one of them.  As we know the student demographic has changed, priorities are no longer drink filled and party centred but more about getting the qualification and making them most of their time at university.  And this still involves getting involved in their student RAG events.

You may be wondering what RAG stands for.  Today it is an acronym for Raise and Give which is basically the common goal that all RAGs throughout the UK have.  Raggies are those who volunteer in any way needed.  Our own QM:RAG team are called RAGSTARS!* 

RAG has been known to the public as students and indeed the local community having fun whilst raising money for genuine charities.  Students up and down the UK (and even abroad) frequently organise events in their own unique and inimitable way.

As well as events for local charities there are a number of annual events for national charities where students will offer their services as collectors, counters and marshals etc. 

• Cancer Research UK organises ‘Clash of the Clans’ which happens around Halloween.
• The fantastic ‘Hogmoney,’ which believe it or not happens in Edinburgh over Hogmanay.
• Help the Aged also have a long running mega-raid, ‘London UnderGRAND’ happening every June, which has been running every year for over a decade! 
• Meningitis Research Foundation; ‘Bulging Sporrans’ in Edinburgh and ‘London Loot.’ 
• A new arrival to the mega-raid calendar this year is ‘Kilt Tilt’ organised by Barnardos. 

So far this year we have had Jeans for Genes Day- asking staffing and students to make a donation in return for wearing their denims for a day.  We raised £63.87.  Thank you again to all who contributed.

Whatever the event, RagStars* will be found armed with a bucket or collecting tin raising £££ for charity.

Traditionally RAG teams tend to arrange their own RAG weeks annually – this means fundraising for beneficiaries around their university/college campus doing a wide range weird and wacky things. 

Some RAG teams have opted to hold a number of RAG days at different times during the term.  QM:RAG hope to hold continuous events throughout the year so watch this space!!  Almost any event is possible (providing it’s legal of course).  Anything goes, from Soak-A-Sabb, Slave auctions and Fancy dress day/nights to name a mere few. 

Media

There is the RAGMag, which will be published bi-monthly.  This will be filled with jokes, anecdotes and RAG information galore. 

If you would like to get involved in writing for the RAGMag contact Michaela on the details below.

It will also be available to view online on your Student Union Website www.qmusu.org.uk

In a nutshell, RAG is dedicated to raising money for charitable causes by any means they can whilst having loads of fun.  Students have been collecting for charity, whether it is rags or funds, for well over a century.  Last year approximately £3million was raised by UK Rags for charity.

I’m sure you will agree its not bad going for a troop of “wasteful idlers!”

To make the most of your time at Uni, get involved, have some fun and help others.

GET INVOLVED – HELP RAISE MONEY, RAISE AWARENESS AND RAISE A SMILE!!

Contact Michaela for more details

EMAIL: mwoodhouse@qmu.ac.uk   TEL: 0131 474 0000

Forthcoming RAG charities and events:

Wear it Pink for Breast Cancer – 26/10/07

Shelter

Barnardos

Children in Need

Cancer research

Edinburgh hospice

…Plus many more