The RAG Rumble returns to the DCU campus for a fourth consecutive year, with 25 athletes expected to take part in the charity event.
Eoin Luc O’Ceallaigh, vice chairperson of DCU’s Raising and Giving society, told us a little bit more about why it’s the society’s biggest event of the year.
“The money we raise from all our fundraisers goes back into social projects. We have the old favourites like “Go Gaga for GAA” to get young people out and active.
“Another is RAG Rhythms, teaching kids how to play instruments. So any money raised goes into buying gear for the GAA lads or instruments.”
These worthwhile initiatives take place in local areas like Ballymun and involve many volunteers working in primary schools.
“We’re always trying to keep the projects we have going and once we have funding for them, we go on and set new projects up. We currently have four new projects in the pipeline.”
Since beginning their strenuous training routine, O’Ceallaigh believes the athletes are just about ready for the task ahead.
““We’ve been training for six weeks prior to the fight. Terry [Keegan, coach] feels that that’s long enough to get to the right standard considering most people haven’t boxed before.
“Training was usually early morning, 7.30am Tuesday and Thursday mornings for the most part. Last week we were doing three sessions a week, Monday Tuesday and Thursday to reach that fitness level.”
Students from the school of engineering, communications and computing all look set to take to the ring for the event on Thursday night.
The event is focused around raising money through donations, ticket sales and sponsorships, with each athlete looking to raise upward of €60.
“Each boxer is raising their own money through sponsorships. We’re only asking for enough to cover the gear and that means that all the money made on the night will go directly into the projects.
“Last year was absolutely brilliant [in terms of money raised] and if we could match that I’d be absolutely delighted. We’re always looking to go bigger and better.”
RAG sought the help of DCU’s Amateur Boxing Club, one of the fastest growing societies in the college and have given the participants the chance to train in renowned amateur boxing club, St Saviours in Dublin’s inner city.
The event will be streaming live tomorrow night via a YouTube link and college radio station, DCUfm are set to provide live commentary of proceedings.
With the final preparations being put in place, O’Ceallaigh is gearing up for another big year with the society.
“Social media was kicking off really at the start of this week, we’ve got videos, posters are up and there’s going to be a few different events before the event on Thursday night’s event.”
The event is only one of many so far this year, with the introduction already of RAG Runners this semester, as well as volunteers who took place in Cancer society’s “Movember Scavenger Hunt”.
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