RAG week is officially over and based on the funds raised it’s safe to say that it was a success.
RAG week is an annual tradition in which students at the University of Galway are encouraged to take part in events to raise money for charities, as well as being one of the big drinking events of the year.
RAG week wouldn’t have been possible without the help of organisations and societies like Flirt FM, who kicked off the week with their radio-thon, while also celebrating their thirty-year anniversary.
The radio-thon started early in the morning on Sunday, 8 February, and saw a full 24 hours of non-stop live music and shows, with no pre-recorded content.
Flirt FM manager, Paula Healy, described the radiothon as “exhausting and like trying to mentally spin plates,” but adding that it “makes you love community radio.”
This year was Flirt FM’s second year running the radio-thon, seeing a wide range of shows: from an exploration of the impact of Alzheimer’s, to discussions of mythical creatures and even a live call to the Super Bowl.
Paula has expressed her pride in the thirty-six volunteers who took part in the event, especially those who have never recorded live before.
She also showed appreciation for those who broadcast at “one o’clock in the morning, playing banging tunes to keep everyone going.”
The radio-thon raised €785 and Paula explained that the money will be donated to Galway Rape Crisis Centre and GOAL.
“Last year, I think we made around five or six hundred euros, and we’ve already beaten that. Everyone is so very generous – it’s not easy to be able to afford to donate,” she said.
Flirt Fm are planning on hosting another radio-thon during RAG Week next year. However, they will be making changes, including introducing giveaways, video streaming and more live bands.
The radio-thon was not Flirt FM’s only charitable contribution during RAG Week. On Thursday, the 12th of February at 8 am, Paula organised a podcast morning show “Interns for Brekkie” in one of the study pods on campus, “because we love a good pun.”
The podcast was “much less work because it’s only a two-hour show”, and Paula explains she wants to do more broadcasts outside the Flirt FM studio in the future.
Flirt FM was very busy during RAG Week with the Radio-thon, the morning show podcast, their thirtieth anniversary and the regular 96 shows scheduled every week, “which we were determined to make happen.”
“It’s a lot to get through, it’s a big thing, and I’m not in my twenties anymore, but I think I’ve earned myself a good sleep and so have all the volunteers.”
