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Students celebrate 80 years of fundraising success

Press release issued: 13 July 2005

The University of Bristol Students' Union RAG [Raising and Giving] is celebrating 80 years of fundraising success, having raised a phenomenal £850,000 for local and national charities through such activities as RAG Week, Jailbreak and Saturday morning street collections.

The University of Bristol Students' Union RAG [Raising and Giving] is celebrating 80 years of fundraising success, having raised a phenomenal £850,000 for local and national charities through such activities as RAG Week, Jailbreak and Saturday morning street collections.

RAG is one of Bristol University's biggest student societies. Its main aim is fundraising through organising fun activities and events, with donations going to national charities including Children in Need and Breakthrough Breast Cancer, as well as to local causes.

This year alone, 4,000 RAG volunteers have helped raise over £123,000, donating £14,734 to local charities and worthwhile causes offering bereavement care, complementary therapy for sick children, support for adults with learning difficulties, housing and support services to people with mental health needs and after-school clubs.

This year, Bristol University engineering student, Jon Medcraft raised £13,340, the most an individual student has ever raised, contributing towards his staggering career total of £26,719.

Zoe Thomas, RAG Chair, said: "It amazes me just how committed these student volunteers are to helping others and brightening up so many people's days. RAG members have given up significant amounts of their spare time in order to fundraise for fantastic causes they are passionate about, and this is reflected in the fantastic totals they regularly achieve."

Local voluntary and community groups have the opportunity to apply for grants through the Quartet Community Foundation, which helps manage and distribute the funding in the local region. Applications are welcome from projects or charities whose work focuses on children, disadvantaged communities, medical support and elderly people.

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