With fundraising events as diverse as an archery shoot-out and a movie night, this year's Rhodes University Give Five campaign raised more than R28 000 for students relying on financial aid.
With fundraising events as diverse as an archery shoot-out and a movie night, this year's Rhodes University Give Five campaign raised more than R28 000 for students relying on financial aid.
This year's Student Representative Council (SRC) joined hands with Rhodes Alumni Development to host this year's campaign, which saw all 52 residences, as well as Oppidans (students who live off campus) taking part. The objective was to raise money for the Dean of Students Pocket Money Fund, which assists 160 students who rely on financial aid.
The fund provides a monthly allowance of R130 for them to spend on themselves after they've dealt with living expenses and tuition fees. Different halls and residences held events including an archery shoot-out, movie night, soccer jam and a table tennis tournament. The Founders Hall raised R5 200, which saw them win the Dean of Students prize, which includes a weekend away for eight people at a farm near New Bethesda.
Spot and lucky draw prizes were also donated by local businesses and were won by campaigners during the collection week. Alumni relations officer, Terryl McCarthy said that with so much money coming in from Give Five, they hope the number of students who receive the pocket money will be increased. "It's so wonderful to see students coming together to support each other," she said.
"We never expected a response like this and we hope that with the money raised, we can help more people."
The student council's community engagement representative, Thabo Seshoka said that although it had been hard work, students definitely pulled their weight for the project. "All we want is for all Rhodents to experience the Rhodent lifestyle", Seshoka explained.
"Everyone should be able to enjoy themselves without constantly having to worry about money. I think students saw this and pulled together to make the campaign successful." The next Give Five collection week will be in September this year.
