With a slightly later start to the year than usual, the pressure was on to organise a series of engaging freshers events in record time. Though I might be biased, the team really pulled it out the bag, setting the path to what already feels like a fantastic year of fundraising. Reflecting on the start of term, our president Rose said:
“I couldn’t be more proud of the team and everything we’ve achieved so far. Especially with a later start to the year than usual, the effort that has been shown by everyone to hit our targets and push forward new ideas and initiatives has been incredible. Now with the recent recruitment of our models and brand ambassadors, I’m so excited to see the society fully take shape!
I’m incredibly honoured to be working the CHAS this year and so thankful for the support they’ve shown us so far, and I can’t wait to see what we can achieve this year.” - Rose Inglis, GCFS President 2024/25
But while we ride that buzz, we can’t help but indulge, briefly, in the memories of the week that started it all.
The Kiltwalk
They say start as you mean to go on, so a group of us kicked off our freshers week with a 20 mile stomp around Edinburgh. As is becoming a tradition at GCFS, some of the team hopped on a 7am bus to the capital to take part in the Kiltwalk. For some of us, the effort of this Sunday activity, after Saturday night’s Brat Hive, was more valiant than others. But the GCFS team is nothing if not dedicated!
Woefully underprepared and fully believing 20 miles is not that long, the mantra of the day was very much ‘all you have to do is keep walking’. 10 miles in, we worried we’d reached the point of delirium as we were greeted with encouragement from what appeared to be Captain Jack Sparrow, whose drunken pirate schtick was suspiciously convincing. Not to worry; we opened another pack of party rings, Mathew had his fourth wrap of the day and onward we walked. As we beelined for Portobello, the enthusiasm and snacks supplied by a group of CHAS volunteers was an incredibly welcoming sight.
Their support truly carried us through the rest of the walk and, after around seven (maybe eight) hours, we could all finally collapse under the shadow of Murrayfield stadium and eat our free burgers with medals draped round our necks. Through the Kiltwalk alone we were able to raise over £1.7k, injecting our fundraising total with an incredible first surge that energised the whole team.
Freshers Week
Next up was the freshers fair, bakesale and our ‘Pinot and Paint’ night. Despite the sauna temperatures of Glasgow University’s Hunter Halls, the team behind the GCFS fresher’s stall did a fantastic job promoting the society to the new cohort of students. Their efforts were greatly matched by our flyering teams who spread the word of GCFS across Glasgow, and by the girls behind the bake sale who provided the sweetest incentives to join GCFS. A special mention must be made to our president, Rose, whose cakes looked so good they had people mistaking us for the baking society.
Freshers week also saw our first fundraising event of the year in a night of wine glass painting at Dram. Our ‘Pinot and Paint’ night was a sold out affair, with 50 people piling into Wee Dram, and over £200 raised for CHAS. Providing some more civilised respite from the ruckus of freshers week, it was a wholesome night that offered a relaxed chance to socialise with some new students as well as the rest of the GCFS team. It was so heartwarming to see the incredible level of interest for both the society and charity that was generated across freshers week.
Team Applications
Primed by the interest generated during freshers, we opened applications to recruit models and brand ambassadors. Held across four days, across the Glasgow University and Art School campuses, our model castings attracted over 100 applicants. We are so thankful for everyone who applied and auditioned, and those who were successful have already been contacted. We are very excited to have selected our Brand Ambassadors and Models, and can’t wait to move forward with our full team.
On this week: Mission Impossible
While freshers week is over, the excitement is only just beginning at GCFS. At the end of this week we will host our second fundraising event: the compellingly titled ‘Mission Impossible’. Not your usual fundraising initiative, this event will see teams of up to five people race across Glasgow’s West End in a scavenger hunt-come-challenge course that promises some genuinely worthwhile prizes and a laugh if nothing else.
The challenge will begin at Beer Bar in Glasgow University Union, and teams will be given two and a half hours to complete as many challenges as possible, before reconvening at the Record Factory for the afterparty and announcement of the winners. If you need refuelling, Red Bull have graciously provided a stall to help you out at the halfway mark.
The challenge will take place this Friday 18 October, and will begin at 5pm. Teams can buy tickets via the GCFS Fixr page, or register on the day at Beer Bar for just £5 per person. As always, every penny raised will go directly to our charitable partner, CHAS. If you can’t make it to the challenge, don’t worry - there is always the afterparty! Included in the £5 ticket is entry to the afterparty at Record Factory, which begins at 7.30pm. You can expect to meet some new friends and listen to some great music!
You can buy tickets here.
So don your cape and come help us raise some money - we can’t wait to see you there!