Name Sylvia Grice
Course Nat Sci
Who do you volunteer for and how long have you been volunteering?
Rag stuff.... Basically, raising money for charities! Especially local causes, and then dishing out this money at the end of the academic year.
What does this involve?
Standing in a funny costume (tap, anyone?) in a random town with a bucket asking for spare change, organising events to make lots of money (Bierkeller, fireworks, etc!), participating in said events, having a giggle :)
What has been the best bit so far?
My arm aching after carrying a bucket with £170 I'd collected for Children In Need, the fantastic outfits and making people smileee :)
Why did you decide to get involved in this volunteering?
I'm a glutton for punishment...
Do you have any hidden talents? ( eg: can do a backflip, mix up an awesome mojito, speak Japanese, recite the alphabet backwards...)
Well I can drink an awesome mojito?
Name: Adrian Chan
Course: Pharmacy
What volunteering have you been doing?
I've done Pro-experience at uni, which happens every Easter where we spend a week in the Brecon Beacons in Wales doing conservation work (digging?!?! possibly with an orange bib)
What does this involve?
It involves a week in conservation. We stayed in the National Trust base camp near Brecon, and everyday we get up and either get brought up the Beacons or to some nearby National Trust properties to do conservation work. One day we had to burn down brambles, the other day we were digging trenches!! A lot of time was actually spent walking in and out of the Beacons!
What has been the best bit so far?
It's such a good chance to get away from all the technology and let you soak into mother-nature. I also really enjoyed the walks up to Pen-y-Fan (the highest point in the Beacons) on early mornings when I opted to walk rather than use transport. You get to see the beautiful side of the hills, and also get to learn a lot about conservation from the National Trust staff! To be honest, it was all ‘best bits’ because I'm greedy!!
Why did you decide to get involved with your placement?
I got involved in this volunteering as I saw it as a really good chance to see more of mother-nature, and being an international student this also gives me a perfect chance to broaden my horizons and get the most out of my university life here. It's always also my interest to get to know more about conservation, and what we could do to protect the wildlife from further damage.
Do you have any hidden talents?
Does being able to cook Chinese count?? Bear in mind that I am Chinese!
Name: George Charonis
Job Title: VP Education (Sabbatical officer)
What did you study? Physics
Where did you volunteer and for how long? I volunteered in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, for about 20 days from just before the games began to just after they finished. I was at the Athens Hilton, an Olympic Family Hotel, helping out with computing and IT. Although I wasn't out on the pitches or stadiums I still had the opportunity to meet athletes and members of various National Olympic Committees, as well as the International Olympic Committee. It was an amazing experience and something I would most definitely consider doing again (perhaps for London 2012).
Name: Simon Foakes
Course: MEng Civil and Architectural Engineering
Where are you currently volunteering and what does this involve?
Bath Rag, within the SU. I am Treasurer for this academic year, working closely with the other committee members and the administrator. My role currently entails revising and streamlining the accounting system, and assisting all raggies with finances and charity issues when needed. I also go on the odd charity collection ("raid"), and dress as Jack Sparrow (see pic!).
Why did you decide to get involved with your volunteering placement?
I met two famous Raggies (Huseyin and Panda) at the societies fair 2004, and they persuaded me to the first meeting - after that I was hooked on the unique blend of humour (both clean and otherwise!), fun activities and organising events and raids for worthy causes. Rag is a fun team of people who know how to raise a lot of money (often in collaboration with other societies within the SU, and other companies/ people) and have fun doing it!
How long have you been volunteering there?
2 years plus! I have been Publicity Officer, Sponsorship Officer and now Treasurer. I plan to move around the committee roles for a fair while yet!
What has been the best bit so far?
Going on the Rag Easter Tour and the Edinburgh Hogmanay trips! We travelled to various places around the country and collected for charities, then went out together in the evening. Glorious fun : )