Rag is the Union’s fundraising arm. In 2012-13 it raised an amazing £1,080,724 for local and national charities, making it, once again, the very best student fundraising organisation.

Go to Rag’s Facebook page to learn more about what they do.

2012-13 also marked a milestone for the Action Group, which provides volunteering opportunities for students and local residents, with more volunteers than ever before getting involved.

Earlier this year, the Action Group won the Prime Minister’s Big Society Award.

The aim of the awards is to acknowledge individuals and organisations across the UK that demonstrate the Big Society in their work or activities. The Action Group was honoured for harnessing the volunteering power of students to help community groups across Loughborough.

Commenting on the award Prime Minister David Cameron said:

“We have seen through the National Citizen Service that once someone has tried volunteering they are likely to carry on giving their time.  That’s why the work Loughborough Students’ Action Group does in helping a whole generation of local students make their first steps in volunteering is so important. Their commitment to involving the whole student community including international students with the local community is fantastic.

“By making volunteering the norm in their community Action has given thousands of hours of time to making a difference to local people and this Big Society Award recognises that.  I hope they continue to inspire even more people to get involved.”

The Action Group offers students volunteering opportunities ranging from one-off mass events like litter picking or making over a community centre, to regular sessions like a weekly soup kitchen or delivering reading support in schools.  During 2011-12 the group

•  had 2300 volunteers
•  contributed 19,000 hours of time volunteering worth £120,000
•  Raised over £70,000 to fund projects
•  Ran 36 regular projects and 150 one-off projects

Find out more about Loughborough Students’ Action on Facebook