Brave York students raised over £5000 by jumping from a plane last Friday in a group skydive organised by YUSU RAG.
The amount topped the initial expectations of organiser Kim Norris, RAG’s former sponsored events co-ordinator, who said: “I think it was a success – we beat the targets we set to raise for RAG by doing it.
“We also raised awareness, got lots of students involved in and excited by RAG, and set up links with the skydive facility which will hopefully carry the event on for years to come.”
The skydive was originally scheduled to take place in Week 8 of the Spring term, but poor conditions meant it was too risky to attempt.
But Friday’s skydive, held in Hibaldstow, Lincolnshire, went without a hitch, and students jumped into clear skies – with the help of skydiving professionals, who were attached to each skydiver and opened the parachutes.
Participants planned cake sales, bag packs and full-body waxes to help reach their individual targets of £300. Third-year student Jennifer Hammond was the top individual fundraiser, amassing almost £700 by the day of the skydive.
YUSU President Tim Ellis was among the skydivers in Hibaldstow, and together with his girlfriend Raeesah Haque has so far raised £839.
The event caps an impressive year so far for RAG, who earlier this year overcame more poor weather conditions during RAG week, raising over £10,000 despite the snow.