This year’s Raising and Giving Week (RAG Week) at Weston College was a great example of collaboration across all subject areas. With the theme of ‘Flower Power’, the college came together to raise money for two incredible local charities: Weston Hospicecare and The Grand Appeal.  

Weston Hospicecare offers vital palliative care for individuals with life-limiting illnesses and provides essential emotional support for their families. The Grand Appeal supports Bristol Children’s Hospital, helping to deliver life-saving care for sick children and their loved ones. The funds raised throughout RAG Week were split evenly between these two amazing charities.  

Throughout the week, students and staff took part in a wide variety of fundraising events, ranging from raffles and bake sales, to more active sessions such as sponsored walks, races and football matches. This week takes place every year across the country and is a fantastic way for all students to get involved and take part in fun activities before exam season begins.  

Outside of the activities, many people took the flower power theme seriously, with departments such as Health and Social Care and Performing Arts dressed up in bright colours and 70s-style clothes. Not only this, the reception team and some support staff created a ‘Westonbury Festival’ theme, wearing some amazing flower power outfits which ended up winning them best dressed!  

Another popular RAG Week tradition is a college-wide raffle which featured a range of popular prizes, including day passes and tickets to local attractions such as spas, cinemas, and activity centres. Many departments also organised bake sales across each campus as these are always popular and delicious.  

Across the week, Protective Services hosted two major events: a flower-themed two-hour Zumbathon open to all, and a five-hour stretcher relay along the seafront, covering 26 miles. These activities were a great way for students to have fun with friends as well as enjoy some exercise for two amazing causes.  

Other departments also got involved, with Early Years students running a Craft and Wellbeing morning, offering slime-making and loom band activities, while ESOL students provided lanyard name cards written in various languages. Media students hosted a pyjama and movie marathon afternoon, and FIP students got involved by running “tutor torture” activities, getting the chance to pie their lecturers in the face.   

Our Digital students hosted Esports tournaments in games such as Fortnite, Overwatch, Valorant, and Marvel Rivals. They also raffled a high-end gaming monitor generously donated by MSI UK where they raised an amazing £555 from this raffle alone.  

On top of this, Construction students contributed by building eight wooden benches. Five were donated to care homes, where students also spent time chatting with residents and sharing biscuits. The remaining three were sold in a silent auction for staff.  

Sports-related fundraising included football matches and gym challenges, and the Motor Vehicle department added some competition with a Gran Turismo racing challenge using their driving rig, where participants completed a sighting lap and a timed lap.  

Overall, the week brought together students and staff from every campus of the college, with each subject area contributing in its own way, helping to create a fun, inclusive, and impactful week. In total, RAG Week raised £4774.10 for Weston Hospicecare and The Grand Appeal.  

Thank you to everyone who helped organise, get involved, or donate. This support made the week possible and allowed us to raise the amount we did!  

If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College here. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.