Exeter RAG has announced its local nominated charities for the next year: St Loye’s Foundation and Exeter Leukaemia Fund (ELF).
ELF supports families affected by blood cancers and blood disorders and are launching an appeal this year to fund a family suite which will cost £420,000. Community Fundraiser Jordan Anderton told Exeposé that being a RAG charity will “not only help create essential funds but will also create a lot of awareness of ELF”.
St. Loye’s also commented, thanking Exeter students for voting for them “as all the money raised will make a massive difference in helping to transform the lives of disabled and disadvantaged individuals in the local Exeter community”.
Voting began on Monday 18 May with a ‘Meet the Charities’ fair in the Forum. Autistica Charity, Balloons Charity, Refugee Support Devon Ltd and War Child UK were the other prospective charities at the showcase, which allowed students to ask questions and find out more about each cause.
The entire student body was invited to cast votes throughout the week via the Guild website, and on 27 May, RAG announced that St Loye’s and ELF would be supported for the 2015/16 year.
The group thanked students for voting, adding that it was “very excited to work with both charities and raise money for such great causes”.
The election is the second since RAG launched its new charity nomination system. In previous years RAG has supported student volunteer group Community Action alongside three nominated charities – one local, one national and one international.
VP for Activities Matt Bate said: “Next year will be another exciting phase for student fundraising and for Exeter students to deliver real community impact.”
This year RAG has raised money for Exeter Foodbank, Mind in Exeter and East Devon and Exeter Student Volunteers through a variety of organised student-led events.
Hannah Butler, News Team
