By Frances Mulraney and Emma Jane Hade
DCU’s Raising and Giving (RAG) Society raised €5,022.83 with the university’s first ever white collar boxing event as more than 30 DCU students took to the ring last Thursday.
The Venue was transformed for the evening with a full boxing ring installed, as over 600 people were packed in to see 19 fights, celebrity referees, and card girls (and boys).
Fighters had been training for the event since mid-October in collaboration with Smithfield Boxing Club, with twice-weekly sessions at 7.30am.
DCU RAG co-chairperson, Rónán Ó Dálaigh, told the College View that the event was a “no-brainer”, as his brother is a boxing referee and coach. “I was shocked that they (the fighters) all showed up. There were 40 lads training regularly that early in the morning. It was great.”
He added, ‘‘The Student Life Committee supported us financially and we also had a lot of help from local businesses, both on and off campus, who gave us raffle prizes.’’
All seats in the Venue were sold out for the event. Speaking to the College View on how a society in its first semester on campus could run such a successful event, Rónán credited everybody involved.
“We have an understanding on how to be successful. The biggest factor is that we have a lot of ambition and drive. The amount of work you put in is what you’re going to get out of it. We’re talking about hundreds of hours of planning between all the committee members.”
He credited the committee again for the passion they have for their roles and their love of planning these events. “We recognise that we can’t just go out and say let’s change the world. You have to engage students. You have to run big events like this to get yourself on the scene.”
The society has raised thousands of euros already this semester through events such as the Underwear Mile and the RAG Rumble. They’ve had upwards of 50 people volunteering with them on a regular basis through their chosen charities.
All proceeds from this event, which was sponsored by Domino’s Pizza, will go to DCU RAG’s charities for the year; Raidió Rí-Rá, DCU Annual Fund, Make a Wish Foundation, the Aisling Project and Focus Ireland.
The society is already planning its next big event, RAG Week, which will take place next semester. For more information on how to donate or get involved, check out the DCU Rag Facebook page.
Leave a Reply