A week before the end of Michaelmas term, students would be mistaken in thinking that now is the time for wrapping things up (pun intended) and bracing for a cold December. For many LSE charities, work has just begun.
The charities hope to bring attention to the hard-times facing many this Christmas, and a wide range of fundraising drives and initiatives will be happening in the week ahead, and even through the winter break.
LSE RAG
RAG aim to draw attention to the vital work of a local partner charity Single Homeless Project who work to prevent homelessness and transform the lives of London’s vulnerable. RAG have raised over £200 from their last two bucket collections at Underground stations.
If you are staying in London they are looking for additional volunteers to help fundraise at other bucket collections.
They are also developing plans for RAG Week 2019 to make it bigger and better than ever before. They want as many societies and clubs involved as possible and any ideas for raising money for charity. There are a whole range of challenges to look forward to, including the legendary Jailbreak, and will have a full-line up of club nights ahead.
To help volunteer, and keep up to date with RAG you can visit their Facebook page or visit their website.
LSE Red Cross and Student Action for Refugees (STAR)
LSE Red Cross aim to raise awareness for mental health through promoting awareness of support networks, and encouraging people to not be afraid of discussing mental health with others.
They also want to draw attention to the fact that the winter season can be very rough on refugees as living conditions become drastic. Anything, from clothing to food could prove vital in refugee camps. They want to see as many students as possible around LSE join in with charitable initiatives as a small sacrifice can go a long way.
On Wednesday 12 December, Red Cross will be co-hosting an event with Amnesty to collect and wrap student donations as Christmas presents for refugees. Those interested in donating or simply lending a hand should come to the Weston Café, 6th Floor of the SU Building from 18:30-20:00.
Yesterday, Red Cross and Star ran a stall on Sheffield Street from 10am – 4pm to sign the #FamiliesTogether petition to change the strict rules that keep many refugee families separated. Refugee families who have already been separated by war and persecution are being kept apart by strict rules on family reunion. Adult refugees can sponsor only their very closest relatives to join them – their partners and children under 18 years old – and refugee children in the UK have absolutely no family reunion rights.
LSE Amnesty International
Aside from collecting signatures, LSE Amnesty International are running the LSE SU Amnesty International – Write for Rights on Human Rights Day on Monday 10th from 19:00 to 22:00 at Elvin Hall, 20 Bedford Way.
The initiative is part of Amnesty International’s annual and global letter-writing campaign. People come together to write messages of support to show solidarity to those who have been attacked or threatened for defending human rights. This year Write for Rights is solely focusing on women human rights defenders who typically face heightened discrimination and persecution because of their gender.
In 2017 alone, almost 875,000 people demanded the release of 11 human rights activists in Turkey who are all now free on bail.
The campaign will involve students from all over London collaborating with UCL, KCL, QMUL and Imperial Amnesty International societies to Write for Rights, along with live music, drinks, and nibbles.
LGBTQ+ Pride Alliance
The alliance are organising an event next term for people to write letters to incarcerated LGBTQIA+ people. They will also be working on a campaign regarding transphobia in the curriculum and classroom.
Earlier this term they helped recruit student volunteers for Just Like Us, an LGBT charity that works in schools).
They stress the importance of considering non LGBTQIA+ centred charities and the role LGBTQIA+ people have to play within these organisations.
To show support for Pride Alliance, there will be Christmas drinks at the LSE Tuns on Thursday 13 December starting at 19:30.
