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Students organise events in community to support the University’s first Chancellor’s Charity

University of Gloucestershire students have used their skills and creativity to support the important work of the Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre (GRASAC) – the University’s inaugural Chancellor’s Charity.

Students working towards a degree in Events Management within the University’s Gloucestershire Business School joined forces with students from other course programmes to organise two events to raise funds and enhance the profile of the GRASAC.

models on a catwalk

A Fashion Catwalk Show was staged at Blackfriars Priory in Gloucester, with support from the Janet Trotter Trust, in a collaborative initiative involving students from the Business School, the School of Arts and the School of Creative Industries.

This high-profile event, which attracted guests from the fashion industry, showcased the work of students as well as providing opportunities to manage various aspects of the show, including event promotion, photography and social media.

A second student-led fundraising event, an evening of bingo, took place at Gloucester Brewery and took the overall amount raised for GRASAC to £909.

The University announced in January that the GRASAC had been chosen by students and staff as the first Chancellor’s Charity in a new initiative launched by Lord Michael Bichard to empower the University community to unite around a worthy cause and help to further expand the institution’s charitable activities.

Founded in 1984, the GRSAC provides free and confidential emotional and practical support to people in Gloucestershire affected by rape, sexual assault or abuse at any time in their lives, and works to educate the public about the nature of sexual violence and its impact. 

Sarah Gunning, Lecturer in Event Management, said: “It’s heartening to see students using their imagination, skills and creativity to make a positive impact and raise awareness for such a vital cause as the Gloucestershire Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre.“

“The Fashion Catwalk Show and the bingo provided our students with opportunities to put into practice what they had learned from their course programmes at the same time as making a positive difference within the local community.”

Pictures: The Fashion Catwalk Show staged at Blackfriars Priory in Gloucester (credit: Matthew Andrews)