University of Galway Students’ Union is preparing for one of RAG Week’s more eye-catching fundraisers, as students rally behind Paddy’s Mankini Challenge in aid of the two SU charities.
The challenge centres on Students’ Union Vice President for Welfare and Equality, Paddy, who has agreed to leap from the Blackrock diving tower wearing a Borat-esque mankini if a fundraising target of €15,000 is reached.
The funds raised will be split between Galway Rape Crisis Centre and GOAL, both SU charity partners for the academic year.
Explaining how the challenge came about, Paddy said:
“The idea started after a few too many beers, when my friends spotted that my colleague Seán had bought me a mankini as a joke Christmas present. I joked that if a huge amount was raised for a good cause I’d jump into Blackrock wearing it. I woke up the next morning and my friends had already set up the Instagram page. My friend and housemate Eoghan woke me up to ask could I bring him into the SU office to see would they partner up on the fundraising. Safe to say a hangover from hell.”
Donations are now open, with students and members of the public encouraged to give what they can in support of the initiative. If the target is met, the Blackrock plunge is expected to be a standout moment of RAG Week and one that won’t be forgotten in a hurry.
Donations can be made at: https://www.idonate.ie/event/PaddysMankiniChallenge
Emma van Oosterhout is the Editor-in-Chief of Student Independent News for 2025/26. She is studying MA Journalism at University of Galway, and graduated in 2025 with a BA in Global Media and History. She is from Corofin, Co. Galway. Emma was previously a News Editor for the year 2023/24. She has written for SIN since 2023.