Paddy Henry
In a month where cheer, kindness are festivities are spread across communities the Students’ Union have sought to do their bit with the launch of December’s edition of their Charity Challenge initiative.
This week, the Union formally launched their Random Acts of Kindness Challenge, which encourages students to spread kindness throughout the month of December.
The initiative, which is the second of the union’s six charity challenges is running from December 1st until New Year’s Eve. Money raised from the programme will go towards supporting the Students’ Union’s charitable partners, Galway Autism Partnership, Galway Rape Crisis Centre and Helplink Mental Health.
The aim of the Challenge is to encourage participants to commit to completing a target number of Random Acts of Kindness (RAKs) throughout the month! Some of the RAKs that are planned include beach clean-ups, letter writing to nursing home residents, a giant Secret Santa, getting to know neighbours and reaching out to those in need.
So far, the Charity Challenge initiative has proven successful. November’s Kilometre Challenge, which encouraged participants to stay active and connected while raised almost €2,000 for local charitable causes last month.
December’s edition of the Charity Challenge has already proven to be popular with over 250 participants registered already.
Students’ Union President Pádraic Toomey spoke of his excitement at the launch of the month long initiative, and spoke of the accessibility of the challenges, stating that each challenge is adaptable to one’s own ability
“We are very excited to start our RAK Challenge to support three amazing charities. These events will help our students and staff to feel part of the NUIG community, have fun and keep active while fundraising. Our challenges are not one size fits all events – each participant can adapt them according to their own capabilities.”
Vice-President and Welfare and Equality Officer Róisín Nic Lochlainn also spoke of her delight at the being involved in the initiative, and spoke of the importance of spreading positivity and kindness around the wider community
“It’s great to see students and staff coming together as a community for a project like this even if we are apart. Spreading positivity and kindness is going to have an amazing and lasting impact on everyone involved. It will also raise vital funds for three very worthy charities.”
Participants can still register online on the Students’ Union’s website while donations can be made online via the NUIGSU Charity challenge GoFundMe page
