First things first, Rag does not stand for 'Raising and Giving', instead its origins date back to the Victorian era, where students used to collect old clothes for the poor. Last year Loughborough Students Union Rag raised over one million pounds for the 146 charities it is affiliated with. There are lots of opportunities for you to get involved with – from taking part in Tough Guy, trekking across the Arctic or jumping out of a plane, Rag is a fantastic way of experiencing once in a lifetime events whilst raising money for some fantastic causes. You can also travel the country with a collection bucket on the various rag raids (anywhere from London to Cardiff to Manchester), or come to our annual Fireworks display in November – there really is something for everyone.
Rag Chair Paul Nanson told Label, 'Rag is the fundraising section of the union. Every year, thousands of students go out and raise a ridiculous amount of money for a whole host of charities, in so many different ways. Last year we raised £1,080,724.46 for 146 different charities, which on average means each student raised £67.50, making us the best student fundraising organisation in the country. How on earth do we raise these incredible amounts? You could climb Mount Kilimanjaro, Everest Base Camp or Machu Picchu. Dogsled 300km across the article ending up at the Ice Hotel in Sweden, run a Marathon in Europe or even cycle from London to Paris. You could try to get as far away from campus and back in 56 hours, or take to the streets with a bucket in the country's biggest cities – there is no limit to what you can do for charity.'
Recently, LSU Rag was awarded the best student fundraising organisation in the country at the national Rag Conference in Birmingham. Undoubtedly, at the heart of Loughborough Students Rag is having fun whilst raising lots of money for amazing causes. If Rag is something that you would like to get involved in, speak to your hall rag reps, or visit Paul in the Rag office upstairs in the Students Union. Moreover, you can find out more about the events Rag offers and sign up at Choose a Challenge on Monday 21st October at 7pm in Piazza.
Tomorrow's article is entitled 'All About the AU', and will introduce you to the incredible Athletic Union here at Loughborough.
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Sam Chislett
Rag Employability Officer
