As the biggest student fundraiser in Glasgow, our charity is at the heart of everything we do at GCFS, with our whole campaign being carried out with an aim to fundraise as much as possible for our charitable partner Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, and bring awareness to their work
Focus on Fundraising Week (FoF), is an annual initiative where we focus on our charitable aims and values. Everyday for 5 days, we bring focus to our charitable partner, how we fundraise within GCFS, and run various different fundraisers to raise money for CHAS. This year, we have a packed FoF calendar, including the release of our ‘Chats with CHAS’ interviews on our socials, a bakesale on GU campus, a special Christmas themed Sip N’ Paint at The Record Factory and last but not least a Basketball Tournament in collaboration with GUSA Basketball.
As part of the FoF programme, we also want to highlight all the amazing work done within GCFS as a society that drives our campaigns every year and has made us the biggest student fundraiser in Glasgow. Every member of the society from the Committee to the Models and Brand Ambassadors, each put so much work into their roles, including each taking on a personal commitment to do an individual fundraiser throughout the year which goes towards the total raised for CHAS.
From the events to creative shoots, fundraising initiatives and sponsorships deals, customised graphics and production planning, the scale of the commitment shown by our team each year is incredible. It’s amazing to see all the different projects that happen every year, supporting one another in our fundraisers and coming together as a community to further our charitable aims.
To find out more about how the GCFS team fundraise and we asked them to tell us about their individual fundraisers, and why they are so passionate about GCFS and supporting CHAS.
Rose (President)
Being the President of GCFS is one of the toughest challenges I’ve taken o during my time at university but also the most rewarding. I really love this society so much. It’s brought me friends for life and allowed me to find new strengths I never knew I had. Most of all, knowing that all the work we’re doing each year is going toward such important causes makes me so proud to be a part of GCFS. In particular, doing the individual fundraisers is such an integral part of the GCFS experience no matter your role, and it’s so fun to see everyone’s ideas throughout the year and support eachother in our projects. In the past I used the individual fundraiser to reconnect with some of my hobbies I’d been neglecting, for example when I was a BA and did custom paintings to raise money. This year I want to use my fundraiser as a way to challenge myself and do something different, therefore this year I’m planning to do a running challenge, leading to doing one of the Glasgow Winter Warmer Runs in February!
Louisa (Charity Coordinator)
Having had previous knowledge of CHAS I knew that GCFS had chosen an incredible charitable partner. I was eager to do my part in raising as much money as possible for a charity that has made a difference for so many families facing unimaginable challenges. By participating in Glasgow’s Winter Warmer Run I hope to push myself for a worthwhile cause and hopefully get a bit fitter in the process!
Madison (Model)
This is my first year in GCFS, and it is so heart warming to be a part of something that is not only such a fun experience, but is also for a really good cause. This year’s charity partner, CHAS, does such invaluable work and I’m so excited to support them. My fundraiser is a pottery painting night in January, for which I teamed up with The Craft Pottery. I’m confident it will be a lovely night for creativity, which is such an integral part of GCFS. I would also like to thank Beth at TCP for being so willing to work with me on this!
Katie Ford (Charity Fundraising Assistant)
Having spent time in hospital myself last year, I have gained first-hand experience of the amazing work done by NHS doctors and nurses. This has made CHAS a charity that is especially close to my heart. The incredible support they provide to children in hospice care, as well as their families and the NHS staff who care for them, providing moments of joy during this increasingly difficult time, is both inspiring to see and incredibly rewarding to know the impact we are making through GCFS.
As Charity Fundraising Assistant, I often engage with local Glasgow businesses to secure charitable donations for our fundraising efforts, including raffles and events. It's amazing to see the enthusiasm and generosity of these businesses in supporting this charity, as their contributions directly impact our ability to fund events and raise funds and awareness for this important cause. I also play a role in organising and running events such as our recent fundraiser, Mission Impossible, which proved highly successful. This was such a fun event to be a part of and enabled me to meet like-minded people on the committee whilst also raising funds for CHAS.
For my personal fundraiser, I am eager to push myself and will be running the Glasgow Winter Warmer half marathon in February in the hopes of making a real difference for this incredible Charity.
Emma (TikTok Content Creator)
This is my second year being on the GCFS committee, with my role this year being TikTok Content Creator which is super exciting! Being part of GCFS is such a rewarding experience, the show last year was a huge sellout and watching everyone’s hard work come to life was a feeling I’ll never forget. This year for my individual fundraiser I will be offering personalised styling boards (styling account @ems_styled_it on Instagram and TikTok) with all proceeds going to CHAS. I wanted to combine my love for fashion with raising money for such an incredible charity and I feel like this is the perfect way to do it!
Mamaati (Model)
Being part of GCFS and planning my fundraiser has honestly been one of the most fulfilling experiences of my year. I am honored to be a part of such a noble cause, and learning about CHAS and everything they do is more than enough motivation to put everything I can into fundraising and getting the word out. My fundraiser is a Pints and Raffle at Bizarron on 29th of November at 9pm. Prizes include movie tickets, coupons to Bizarron, free Sub Club entry, and more!
For more information on how to support our team, check out our socials for updates on all our events and initiatives, as well as more information on individual fundraisers!