Jack Harnett | Contributing Writer
Raise and Give (RAG) week proved a major success this year with €23,500 raised for eleven Trinity charities. Running between the 19th and 23rd of January, RAG week featured countless events ranging from a Quidditch tournament on the cricket pitch to a performance by the Trinitones in the college chapel and all with a single purpose – to raise money for charity. This year’s chosen charities were Amnesty International, Cancer Soc, Enactus, FLAC, MOVE, Student Hardship Fund, Suas, S2S, TAP, VDP and VTP. Under the management of Ents officer Finn Murphy, RAG week 2015 was the most successful to date – surpassing last year’s sum of €22,000.
Finn credited the success to the launch with the Provost and to the dedication of the volunteers. The €10,000 donation from the TCD Alumni Association also played a pivotal role in reaching the final sum.
The charities were not the only beneficiaries of RAG week. TCD students enjoyed the event – filled week, with the annual slave auction being a particular highlight. Speaking on the issue, Finn said “all of the events were well attended and I feel we managed to generate a good community feeling on campus”.
Although delighted, Finn recognises that the goal to raise €30,000 was not reached and that there is room for improvement. He feels that RAG week 2016 can break the record for the second year running and, along with the Trinity Volunteering Team, is currently in the process of writing a manual for next year’s organisers. Included will be advice on managing the project and on which events were the most and least successful. Optimistic and hopeful, Finn sees “no reason they couldn’t go on to raise €30,000+ next year.”
