Loughborough Students Rag smashed the 2011 fundraising total with £1,404,952.28 raised by June 2012, an improvement of around £300,000, announced at the 2012 Rag Presentation Evening.
By June 23rd most of Loughborough University had returned home for the summer holidays. But meanwhile, Room 1 was transformed in preparation to honour the Rag community and those who have played a key part in the successes of the section over the past year.
Before the final total was announced, Hazelrigg-Rutland hall topped off an incredible year by picking up Hall of the Year, Raids League Trophy and Best Fundraised-per-Head, raising over £62,000 in the process, £4000 ahead of second-placed Harry French. John Phillips showed their growth as a hall by winning the Most Improved Hall in Rag, and rep Antoni Davis-Phillip collecting the Peter Oakes Hands On award.
Speaking to Rigg-Rutt Hall Chair Zak Evans:
“I can't describe how unbelievably proud I am of what we have achieved this year. For the second smallest hall to surpass those twice its size is a great accolade. The Rag girls, who have been so influential in our success, should take enormous pride in what they have done. Be sure that next year we won't be giving up our awards without a fight!”
Despite a tough year for Cayley Hall Rag, solo rep David Edwards deservedly won the Rep of the Year award ahead of the highly successful Rigg-Rut and Harry French reps. Rutherford Hall Chair, Mike Lyness, was far-and-away the Star Fundraiser in 2012 reaching £4885.45 collected, closely followed by his own Rag rep, Matthew Wrightson in second place.
An overjoyed Mike Lyness simply stated that his efforts were
“Worth every penny!”
It was also a highly successful night for Royce hall who were awarded for their excellent work during Freshers Week 2011, with the Best and Largest Fresher Raid awards, whilst Robert Bakewell collected the Rag Week Garcia.
Last but very much not least, the Rag Chair Award went to Renee van Diemen and the Rag Lifetime Achievement Award to the Rag Alumni Rep, Peter Hall.
Upon the revelation of the 2012 fundraising total, it was also revealed that halls of residence raised an incredible £492,000, a figure reflecting the hard work of hall reps all year round. The room filled with screams and awe as the incredible £1,404, 952.28 figure appeared on the screen, made even more unbelievable by the fact that our involvement in hosting Children in Need for the East Midlands sector was not included in the total!
Off-coming Rag Chair Sarah Musgrave was rewarded on the night with a specially made scrapbook from all involved in Rag and said:
“I didn't care about how much money was raised, as long as my reps and committee have had fun! And by all your kind words, it appears you have all enjoyed it as much as I have this year. The £1.4million proves that with lots of fun, amazing and record breaking things can happen. Thank-you for everything you have done this year!”
