Our annual Raising and Giving week (RAG) Week, organised by the College’s Student Association (SA) members, is not only 5 themed activity-packed days for students to get involved in, but is also a chance to raise funds for local charities.

This year, generous donations throughout the week mean that more than £600 will go to each of three chosen charities. They are Daisy’s Dream, who support children and their families affected by bereavement or life threatening illnesses; Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice, a hospice who care for and support terminally ill people and their families; and the Frimley Park Hospital Breast Care Appeal, which aims to fund equipment and establish a specialist Breast Cancer Care Unit.

Nic le Resche, Assistant Fundraising Manager from Frimley Park Hospital Breast Care Appeal commented, "The students and the SA raise so much money for local causes and we are honoured to have benefited from their innovative and dedicated fundraising over the last two years. Their continued support of the Breast Care Appeal will provide the first dedicated breast unit and 3D mammography machine for the local community. Thank you so much for helping to transform breast care for everyone."

RAG week began with, ‘Festival Day’, a chance for our students to don their wellies and shades! Luckily the week benefitted from some great weather, allowing the College cheerleading team, ‘The Jets’ and some of our talented student musicians to perform in the quad.

After Tuesday’s, ‘Heroes and Villain’s Day’, the middle of the week was marked by the traditional ‘Uniform Day’, with students digging out and wearing their old school uniforms. The highlight of the day was Principal Simon Jarvis, current President of the SA Alex Langedijk and IT Helpdesk Assistant Kieran Bennett volunteering to have their legs waxed!

The end of the week saw the students celebrate ‘Cultural Day’, with lots of different foods, music and dance from around the world being sampled and demonstrated, and finally ‘Chocolate Day’, with our SA selling shots of chocolate around campus.

The week culminated with the annual, ‘Battle of the Bands’ competition, where student bands competed for the winner’s title and the chance to perform at this year’s Leavers Ball. Band, ‘Manatee!’ were crowned champions, but there was stiff competition from, ‘Biloxxi’, ‘Rough Weekend’ and ‘State of Euphoria’.

Maytham Al-Karky, current Publications Officer on the SA reflected on the week saying, “The phenomenal success of this year's RAG week was due to the generous students who organised crazy events, including waxing the Principal's legs, dressing up in wacky costumes, eating hundreds of delicious donuts and chocolate shots, and donating bucket-loads of loose change.”

Christine Eustace, Director of Community Engagement said, "I am extremely proud of the efforts that all of the students went to, in particular the members of the SA, who worked so hard to put on a wide range of events, including a terrific, 'Battle of the Bands'. I would also like to thank the companies who sponsored our RAG week, Krispy Kreme, Sainsbury’s and Chartwells."