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Students return with popular RAG procession

A float in last year's RAG procession

A float in last year's RAG procession

Press release issued: 17 February 2012

Students from the University of Bristol will flood the streets of the city tomorrow [18 February] with a parade of floats, performers, rickshaws and classic cars as part of the annual RAG procession. Now in its 87th year, RAG – which stands for Raising and Giving – has raised over £500,000 in the past four years for local, national and international charities. This year promises to be bigger, brighter and better.

Now in its 87th year, RAG – which stands for Raising and Giving – has raised over £500,000 in the past four years for local, national and international charities. This year promises to be bigger, brighter and better.

The Mayor of Bristol will be starting proceedings at 12noon on the Downs, before the carnival style procession heads down Whiteladies Road, around the Triangle, down Park Street, through Broadmead, and back up to the Students’ Union on Queens Road by 3pm.

Colourful floats, performers and vehicles will be accompanied by collectors raising money for local Bristol charities including the Jessie May Trust, Caring at Christmas, Shopmobility South, Priority Youth Housing and the Alzheimer’s Society.

Student and RAG spokesman Katia Bazar-Rosen said: “The procession is a great way for the University to get more involved with the wider community, whilst having fun and raising money for great local causes at the same time.”

The procession kicks-off RAG week, which runs until 26 February and includes an overnight soccerthon, a sponsored abseil, a club night, a massageathon and a real ale festival.

On Monday, students will also be involved in an attempt to build a 70ft long burrito at Mission Burrito on Park Street. The burrito is expected to stretch two lengths of the restaurant. With over 110 twelve inch tortillas wrapped around 45kg of ingredients, this will be the largest burrito ever created in the UK.

For further information and images, please contact the Students’ Union’s RAG Co-ordinator James McDonald on rag-ubu@bristol.ac.uk or 0117 954 5879

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