Students’ Union Raises Record €53,275 for Charity

University of Galway Students’ Union today presented the proceeds of their year of fundraising events to Galway Rape Crisis Centre and Cancer Care West. The unique charity events held throughout the academic year raised a total of €53,275 for the two charities – the most ever raised by the Students’ Union.

The Students’ Union held fundraisers throughout the year culminating in the triumphant return of Raise and Give Week in February which included events such as the Firewalk, a head shave, a charity auction, a 5km fun run, a Taylor Swift Night and a 5 A Side Tournament. They also held a giant Christmas Raffle, saucy Sex Toy Bingo, Take Me Out, a Harry Styles Night, and Galentine’s Day Brunch.

Included in the total amount raised is a €20,000 donation from, Sult, Smokey’s Café and the Students’ Union Shop. These services are owned by the Students’ Union and raised money from a levy on disposable cups which is part of the Students’ Union’s ongoing commitment to eliminating single use cups on campus.

Students’ Union President Dean Kenny said: “We’re delighted to have raised the most money ever in our Union’s history for charity, and it’s all thanks to every single student that got involved with any of our events throughout the year. We’d also like to thank the University for giving us this opportunity to bring Raise and Give week back to its roots, raising money and bringing back that sense of community on campus. I’m also delighted that our student owned services on campus helped out in the fundraising efforts with a great initiative by donating the proceeds of a levy on single use coffee cups, which further demonstrates our commitment to sustainability.”

Students’ Union Vice-President for the Irish Language Officer Faye Ní Dhomhnaill added: “In what has been a stressful year with the continued cost of living crisis it’s great that the students and staff of University of Galway have put such a huge effort in to raising funds to help others. We are delighted to be presenting €53,275 to these two amazing charities who do so much for those in need. To have raised so much is a great achievement for all involved.”

Pictured (Left to Right): Susan Costello (Galway Rape Crisis Centre), Izzy Tiernan, Raimey O’Boyle & Faye Ní Dhomhnaill (University of Galway Students’ Union), Noelle McNamara (Sult), Dean Kenny (University of Galway Students’ Union), David O’Donnell and Richard Flaherty (Cancer Care West)

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€53,275 Tiomsaithe ag Comhaltas na Mac Léinn ar son Carthanachta, an Méid is Mó Riamh

Inniu bhronn Comhaltas na Mac Léinn, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe airgead a bailíodh le bliain anuas ar Ionad Éigeandála na Gaillimhe um Éigniú agus ar Chúram Ailse an Iarthair. Bailíodh €53,275 san iomlán – an méid is mó a bhailigh Comhaltas na Mac Léinn riamh – don dá charthanas ag imeachtaí carthanachta ar leith a bhí ar siúl le linn na bliana.

Reáchtáil Comhaltas na Mac Léinn imeachtaí tiomsaithe airgid ó cheann ceann na bliana agus bhí an tSeachtain Tiomsaithe Airgid agus Carthanachta ar siúl i mí Feabhra den chéad uair le fada an lá. I measc na n-imeachtaí a bhí ar siúl an tseachtain sin bhí siúl dóiteáin, lombhearradh gruaige, ceant carthanachta, rith spraoi 5km, Oíche Taylor Swift agus Comórtas Cúigear an Taobh. Reáchtáladh Crannchur Ollmhór na Nollag, Biongó Gnéasbhréagán, Take Me Out, Oíche Harry Styles agus Bróinse Lá na gCairde Ban freisin.

San áireamh sa mhéid iomlán a bailíodh tá síntiús €20,000 ó Sult, Smokey’s Café agus Siopa Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn. Is le Comhaltas na Mac Léinn na seirbhísí sin agus bhailigh siad an t-airgead trí thobhach ar chupáin indiúscartha, feachtas atá ina chuid de thiomantas Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn le fáil réidh le cupáin aonúsáide ar an gcampas.

Dúirt Dean Kenny, Uachtarán Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn: “Tá an-áthas orainn gur bhailigh muid an méid is mó airgid ar son carthanachta riamh i stair an Chomhaltais, agus tá an buíochas as sin ag dul do gach uile mhac léinn ar leith a ghlac páirt i gceann ar bith de na himeachtaí a bhí ar siúl i mbliana. “Ba mhaith linn buíochas a ghabháil leis an Ollscoil freisin as an deis a thabhairt dúinn an tSeachtain Tiomsaithe Airgid agus Carthanachta a thabhairt ar ais agus an bhraistint phobail a ghabhann léi a chothú ar an gcampas arís. Tá lúcháir orm freisin gur chabhraigh na seirbhísí atá againn ar an gcampas, ar leis na mac léinn iad, leis na hiarrachtaí tiomsaithe airgid trí na fáltais ón tobhach ar chupáin chaife aonúsáide a thabhairt, rud is léiriú eile ar a thiomanta atá muid don inbhuanaitheacht.”

Dúirt Leasuachtarán Chomhaltas na Mac Léinn don Ghaeilge, Faye Ní Dhomhnaill: “Cé gur bliain acadúil strusmhar a bhí ann mar gheall ar an ngéarchéim costais maireachtála atá ag leanúint ar aghaidh, is iontach an rud é go ndearna mic léinn Ollscoil na Gaillimhe a seacht ndícheall airgead a bhailiú le cabhrú le daoine eile. Tá ríméad orainn €53,275 a bhronnadh ar an dá charthanas iontacha seo a thugann cúnamh nach beag do dhaoine in am an ghátair. Is éacht ollmhór é gur éirigh leo siúd a bhí páirteach an méid sin airgid a thiomsú.”

Sa ghrianghraf (ó chlé go deas): Susan Costello (Ionad Éigeandála na Gaillimhe um Éigniú), Izzy Tiernan, Raimey O’Boyle & Faye Ní Dhomhnaill (Comhaltas na Mac Léinn, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe), Noelle McNamara (Sult), Dean Kenny (Comhaltas na Mac Léinn, Ollscoil na Gaillimhe), David O’Donnell agus Richard Flaherty (Cúram Ailse an Iarthair)