NUI Galway Students’ Union set a trio of unique charity challenges for students this year, taking their inspiration from the elements with the Earth, Wind and Fire Charity Challenge. More than 200 students rose to this challenge raising around €21,600 for charity in the process.
All of the money raised from these events has been donated to the Students’ Union nominated charities for the year, which are Galway Rape Crisis Centre and SpunOut.ie The fire element of the Charity Challenge 2012 was a sponsored firewalk with students walking across 20 feet of wood embers burning at 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit without experiencing any pain or injury. In the wind challenge students took to the skies for a thrilling tandem freefall skydive from 10,000ft. The earth challenge had students with their feet back on solid ground climbing Croagh Patrick and reaching a dizzying height of 762m above sea level.
In addition to the charity challenge the Students’ Union also held a flag day in Galway city and a charity auction for university staff to bring in even more money for their charities.
Students’ Union president Emmet Connolly said: “Despite the constant cutbacks and daily challenges we all face, students have once again done their bit to help others. NUI Galway students have a very proud tradition of raising money for charities and they have excelled themselves this year.”
Of the efforts shown by NUI students, Dawn O’Connor of Galway Rape Crisis Centre said: “The centre has been faced with a lack of funding and a 20 per cent rise in sexual assaults. This means that victims of sexual assault have been faced with waiting as long as six months for one to one counselling. This support from NUI Galway Students’ Union has helped to greatly reduce our waiting list.”
Niamh Farrell of SpunOut.ie said: "We are genuinely delighted to have been chosen as one of the two charities to be supported by NUI Galway Student's Union this year. It means a lot to us to get the endorsement of the students which will help us to continue being innovative, tech savvy, and legendary in the way we connect with young people so that they get the support, information, and encouragement they need for the good times and the bad. Thank you all."
Applications are now open for charities wishing to apply to be considered as one of the Students’ Union nominated charities for the 2012/13 academic year. Application forms and further information are available at www.su.nuigalway.ie
