www.thecourieronline.co.uk Monday 7 November 2016 Issue 1338 Free
The results of your The Independent Voice of Newcastle Students Est 1948 top 10 horror films EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW MYTHBUSTERS An interview with Ex-Courier writer Can staring at the sun actually make on the release of his novel, p. 20 you blind? p. 33 vote, p. 28 RAG announces charity partnerships Raising and Giving (RAG) society to fundraise for six charities Selected charities include two international, two national and two local organisations
By Jade Holroyd Editor Newcastle University Students’ Union’s Raising and Giving (RAG) society have officially announced the six charities they will be supporting this year: Water for Kids, Anti-Slavery International, Alzheimer’s Research UK, Mind, Great North Air Ambulance, and The Alan Shearer Foundation. The charities include two international, two national and two local organisations and were selected by the 2016/17 RAG committee through process of vote. The 32 strong committee is led by co-presidents Harry Young and Liam Day. Young said: “Every year RAG supports six individual charities. This year we opened up the process of selection to the whole of committee to guarantee maximum student consultation. “There were numerous other organisations that were also shortlisted by the committee and although these charities won’t feature as part of our annual RAG Week, we will be donating the proceeds made at the events throughout the year.” For their first event of the year, the society ran a pub quiz at the Charles Grey in early October, in aid of Cardiomyopathy. Approximately 250 students attended the quiz, raising £280 in total. Young commented: “The quiz was a great success and also a great way to start the year - hopefully it will be a sign of things to come.” RAG’s next event will be held on 21 November. “Last year we hosted a speed dating night at the Union and it went down really well so we’re doing the
same this year,” Young said. Day added: “I’m looking forward to Speed Dating and we’re hoping for a fairly big turn out. It’s all a bit of fun and at the end of the day, we’re raising money for charity. “This year we’re wanting to be a big emphasis on RAG as a social society. We want to raise money and have a good time doing it so we’ve got some great events lined up for the year. Sign up to RAG and come along to the speed dating event, who knows, you might even find love!” This year will also see the return of ‘Take Me Out’ and the RAG Fashion Show. Last year both events attracted a large number of students and raised a considerable amount for the selected charities. RAG is the biggest charity based society within the Union and is set to hold it’s annual ‘RAG Week’ from 28 January to 3 February 2016. Young commented: “Last year RAG Week was really successful but we’re hoping that this year we can exceed our previous achievements. “RAG Week is open to all students that become paid members of the society. It’s a week full of fundraising across a range of different activities, some of which directly relate to the six charities we will be raising money for during the week.” Day went on to say: “Like Harry said, we’re hoping that this year RAG Week will be the most successful year yet. It’s also a really great way to meet people.” RAG events will be posted on the society page on the Students’ Union website. For more information, see www. nusu.co.uk/RAG or @NUSUrag on Facebook.
“Last year RAG Week was really successful but we’re hoping that this year we can exceed our previous achievements”
Liam Day, Co-President of RAG Image: Harry Young