The return of Raise and Give (RAG) Week to the University of Galway campus is a long awaited, highly anticipated resurgence of a long-standing tradition which students partake in every year, normally around the week of Valentines Day in February.
Raise and Give Week is often seen as a week where students go out, party, skip lectures and blow off some steam, while also boosting the nigh-time economy in Galway City and, sometimes, causing headaches for Galway locals and neighbours living in the city.
However, RAG Week was not always centred around partying, and for the first year in many years, University of Galway Students Union signed an agreement with University Management to hold official Raise and Give events on-campus again.
The purpose of the week is in the name: to raise money for charity, and to give back to the community around us (while having a lot of fun as well!). The Students Union chooses two charities to sponsor each year. For 2023-24, the chosen charities are Galway Rape Crisis Centre and Cancer Care West. It is our hope and our privilege to raise as much money as possible for these fantastic organisations.
Running the week of Sunday February 11 to Friday February 16, the Students Union have loads planned, with a diverse range of activities and events for all students. We have a Charity Shave Off where any student can sign up to raise money for the two charities and have their head buzzed (come along to watch two of your full-time officers get the chop as well!), a charity auction, Swiftie’s Sult Takeover where you can listen to your favourite Taylor classics, Galentines day brunch and a massive dance gig that is yet to be announced.
As well as all that, there will be a Fire walk, where students and staff will brave an exhilarating walk across hot coals in the spectacular setting of the Quadrangle on Monday February 12. The charity auction will see 20 spectacular items going under the hammer to raise as many funds for charity as possible. There is so much more as well, so make sure to keep an eye out on the Student Union’s social medias to find an event that will suit you.
RAG Week can also be a week of excess and a lot of alcohol, so to help students try and stay, we’ll be running a drug harm reduction and information campaign beforehand, with tips and tricks on how to try avoid negative experiences if you choose to use substances.
Also, the newly formed Student Safety Watch will be active most nights of the week. This is a group of students who are trained and paid to help students who may come into a bit of bother on a night out. They walk routes on and around campus and hand out water, chocolate, condoms and much more. Make sure to look out for the high vis with the Student Safety Watch logo on the back and ask for help if you need it!
2024 Raise and Give Week is sure to be a spectacular one, with something hopefully for everyone. Even if any of the events don’t suit, you can still donate to the charities by donating to the Shave Off funding pages. Stay safe, have fun, and let’s raise the roof on RAG Week!