GCFS Focus on Fundraising Week 2024/25

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!

MEET OUR MODELS

Meet the Models

Our committee has grown! Over the past month we finished recruiting our brand ambassadors and models. Since they will be, for many, the distinguishing faces of GCFS, we thought we should introduce you to some of our models. Read about their fundraising plans and worst fashion moments, as they prepare their poses and practise their mewing in preparation for the show in less than four months time!

Sarah 

Sarah studies at the Glasgow University, and if her degree was a person they would wear an ‘I love Sociology shirt’ and “one of those tremendous white parliamentary wigs”. All committee members have to raise £150 each for our charity, CHAS, so for her fundraising Sarah plans to “design on thrifted and donated clothes” - ever the sustainable sociologist. When asked what her worst fashion moment was, Sarah said, “I used to wear really high waisted pants that reached to my ribs”, in an “involuntary Obelix (from Asterix and Obelix) cosplay”. 

Chieh Yang

Chieh also studies at Glasgow University. If their degree was a person, they’d wear “office siren style clothes”. I’m thinking business? They’ll be impeccably dressed regardless. To meet their fundraising target, Chieh is planning either a DJ night or murder mystery night, though I’m sure combining the two would make for the most interesting evening. Chieh had some traumatic memories when asked what her worst fashion moment was: “my obsession with this banana matching set when I was in 6th grade. Horrendous.” Maybe…bring it back for the show? Just a thought.

Kiara Pearce

Kiara is an english literature student, so if her degree was a person they would, of course, wear a “Jane Austen inspired regency dress with the waistcoats and all”. Another possible show fit I reckon! To fundraise, Kiara plans to hold a group bake sale with her friends and also unearth her inner depop-girlie to sell her clothes online. Like Chieh, Kiara’s questionable fashion moments have long passed. She recalls one “pink shirt with the words ‘R U Kitten Me Right Meow’ on it” (she was eight). I’m sure she could get at least £20 for it on Depop.

Matt Darragh Blake

And finally we have Matt. He also studies at Glasgow University and if his degree were a person they’d wear a “lab coat with a calculator in the top pocket”, so no prizes for guessing what college he’s part of. For his share of fundraising Matt plans to organise a charity gig, so look out for tickets if you want to support him! Unfortunately Matt fell victim to the skinny jean phase in 2018, but rest assured he’s out of that now. Though with the indie sleaze revival, maybe he’ll fall back in soon? God truly gives his hardest battles to his strongest soldiers. Catch him (and his jeans) at his gig to see how he fares.

MEET OUR COMMITTEE

With just over four months to go until show day, we thought it was about time to introduce some of our incredible committee members! 

From our sponsorships team to events organisers, our content creators to fashion coordinators, there is nothing short of a small army behind GFCS. The GCFS central committee brings together a group of almost 50 student volunteers from across Glasgow. Our committee functions by complete collaboration, and we wouldn’t be able to put on ever-more ambitious shows and surpass fundraising targets each year if we didn’t bring together a host of different skill sets from across the city. With the help of our student brand ambassadors and models, every ounce of work that goes into organising and fundraising for GCFS is conducted by the committee and wider team. This ensures complete creative and organisational control while, more importantly, maintaining a volunteer fundraising ethos at the heart of the society.

I asked some of our committee members why they got involved and what they are looking forward to most this year. Read on to put some faces to names (and maybe get inspired to join us in person at our theme reveal party this Friday - tickets here)!

Olivia Lalieu she/her 

Vice President

“I wanted to get involved with the Glasgow Charity Fashion Show because of the legacy of incredible work they’ve done over the last 11 years.  Each campaign makes a real difference, raising money for Glasgow based charities and creating positive change in our local community. I am most excited for the coming year’s show. After meeting the whole team at our most recent social, I feel we have a really good bunch of dedicated, creative, genuinely lovely people on our committee and I’m looking forward to working with them to raise as much money as possible for our chosen charity this year, Children’s Hospices Across Scotland. 

Matthew he/him

Marketing Director

“I wanted to get involved in GCFS because of the amazing work they have done in the past raising money for charity. GCFS is also an amazing place to meet a group of great people at university and I really feel like I am part of a community. I applied to be Marketing Director of GCFS because I believed it suited my skills and interests the best - having an interest in both the creative and business sides of how GCFS works. Being able to work with all the other directors and committee members to bring their visions together is exactly what I was looking for! I am most excited for one of our up-coming social media series which we are currently organising. All to be revealed soon!”

Sophie she/her

Fashion Coordinator

“I got involved with GCFS as I wanted to meet people who shared the same passion for expressing themselves creatively! I joined last year, and really enjoyed that I can work with others towards benefitting others through our charity work. I applied for fashion coordinator as I wanted to get a taste of the Glasgow fashion climate, and was interested in collaborating with designers to bring their creative visions to fruition. I also figured I should put the endless hours I spend on Pinterest to good use. Defo most excited for the show !!!! The show last year had such good energy, I’m really excited to play a bigger role in it this year.”

Joy she/her

Events Director

“I got involved with GCFS after wanting to get to know people with similar interests to mine, doing something I enjoy and supporting charities that make a real impact. I applied for the new role of events director after really enjoying my time as an events team member last year. I saw an opportunity to expand the events offering of GCFS whilst raising more for CHAS. In this role we gain first hand experience of the events industry and transferable skills for future roles. It’s also fun to throw big parties and club nights :) I am most excited for the show of course, but the theme reveal party is a new challenge for us this year as we have booked a big venue with top DJs. Pulling it off will be rewarding for myself and the team and hopefully we will make a stamp on the Glasgow community and GCFS will be known for hosting great events.”

Emma she/her

TikTok Content Creator

“I first got involved with GCFS last year as a Production Coordinator as I am currently studying International Fashion Branding and so thought it would be great to get some hands-on experience within the industry. I am naturally a creative and organised person so I wanted to take on a role which combined both of these skills. I met lots of really amazing people and raising money for such an incredible charity was so rewarding and made me want to reapply for the role of TikTok Content this year! I love creating content and keeping up to date with the latest trends so this felt like the perfect role to change things up. A highlight so far has been increasing our engagement and growing our following on TikTok, we are currently on the road to 500 followers which is really exciting (so get following to keep up with all things GCFS)! I am also of course really excited for the show this year and to find out our fundraising total - everybody on the committee is so dedicated and hardworking and it really pays off to know that we are making a real difference to people’s lives.”

Riona Clifford(she/her)

Sponsorship Team

“I got involved with GCFS because I wanted to combine my interest in fashion with my passion for making a difference through charity work, and GCFS was the perfect way to do this! The Sponsorship position is ideal for me because it allows me to play a key role in building partnerships by connecting with brands that help make the show possible. I’m really looking forward to attending the fashion show and seeing the real impact of my work. It’s exciting to know that the partnerships I help bring in will contribute to the event’s success.”

Juliette Sartori (she/her)

Production Director

“I originally got involved because I’ve always loved fundraising for charity and thought the idea of doing a fashion show for charity sounded super fun! It was so amazing to be part of such an amazing fundraiser and get to see the meaningful impacts it has made on the Glasgow community. I started last year as an events team member and loved the entire process leading up to the show as well as the full on set up for the show so I decided to apply to be a director this year! I am most excited to see the show as everyone on every team is working so hard to put on an amazing evening! My highlight so far has been getting to tour so many fun venues and fully envision the show as well as getting to know such an amazing committee in the process!”

Evie Glen (she/her)

Press Coordinator

“This is my first year involved in GCFS but I remember coming across it in my first year at uni, and thinking it would be such a great initiative to be part of! I applied for press coordinator because I really wanted to work on the website and blog (I’m the one writing this post currently!), and it’s such a great role since I get to work with all the different teams across the society. Obviously, I’m most excited for the show, but I’m also really keen to get to know some more of the committee and to work with the external press and publications across the city.”

SHOW WEEK IS HERE

Some final show week thoughts from our directors:

With show day approaching at breakneck speed (3 days to go!!), we had a chat with our amazing committee directors who have been working so hard behind the scenes to coordinate and organise Dreams 2024. It’s largely thanks to them and their leadership that will ensure THE best night possible for all our attendees while raising money for Impact Arts, our incredible charitable partner.

Firstly, in keeping with the spirit of GCFS which holds charity at its heart, we asked them why they saw the fundraising and charity work that the society does as so important:

Mia Hardie (President)

Fundraising is at the centre of the GCFS campaign, our charitable partner remains the core focus of all of our event planning. It is incredible to be able to donate such a large sum of money to our charitable partner each year as a donation of that size, such as the £44k raised last year does immeasurable things for a Glasgow based charity. All of the charities we have worked with in the past year have worked incredibly hard to improve the lives of people in Scotland and we are proud at GCFS to be even a small part of their stories. We further offer the platform to increase awareness for each charitable purpose, engaging new students each year in a cause close to them, always based right in Glasgow.

Craig Strachan (Vice-President)

GCFS is super unique in the way that we are fully charity and fundraising centred which makes it such a rewarding society to be a part of. I think it is a brilliant way to link the student community with local charitable causes, in a really cool and engaging format as well. By spotlighting different charities each year, we are also able to increase awareness around a variety of extremely important issues and tie our fundraising efforts with the ethos of the charity!

Freya Hartley (Treasurer)

GCFS is fantastic for raising awareness for Scottish charities - particularly amongst the student population. This is incredibly pertinent for a charity like Impact Arts, where it may not be entirely clear from their name the widespread and valuable work that they do within Scottish communities! Fundraising for and spreading the word about Impact Arts has been really rewarding.

Freya Corcoran (Marketing Director)

I think as students it can be really easy to live in a bubble the whole way through university. Especially at UofG, when very few of us have much reason to ever leave the west end. GCFS has been a method, over the last 10 years, of raising awareness of some of Glasgow's most important and incredible charities. It allows us (students) to put effort into something that benefits Glasgow's wider society, creating a far more cohesive relationship between students and non-students within Glasgow. Of course, supporting these charities should not be seen as a form of self-gain, and really the most important part is being able to collect such a huge total that can go into supporting the groups and funding the services that our charitable partners provide. We have a duty to give back, and to offer our time to supporting those less fortunate than us. GCFS has created a way for students to do that.

Susie Al-Naib (Social Media Director)

The fundraising work GCFS does is so important as we always fundraise for a charity nominated by people in Glasgow/the Glasgow student body. I think that makes the fundraising process extra special as we know the money is going to a cause that means a lot to the local community. It is also amazing to see so many students come together to support the third sector and the work they do. Impact Arts is an amazing charity, and it is really fulfilling knowing that the money and attention raised is substantial and will help the charity grow and achieve their goals.

Maeve Gorman (Creative Director)

Impact arts is such an amazing charity that focuses on creativity. Charity and creativity are central to GCFS and as Creative Director it has been so great to focus on a charity that values creativity as much as GCFS. Impact Arts makes such a huge difference to our community and the fundraising from our committee and models helps them to do this and that is so rewarding.

Issy Whyte (Production Director)

I’d say the fundraising is so important to me as we get to work so closely with the charities and really get to see the impact that it has. It’s such a great opportunity to work closely with a charity, get to know them and what they do and help them by raising awareness and funds!

Mimi Cartwright (Charity Director)

Giving back to the community which we are all so blessed to be able to live and study in is such a privilege. Impact arts provides a creative outlet to transform people's lives; it is an honour to be able to use our own creative outlet to support this!

While we still have the show to look forward to (yay!), it marks the end of months of hard work in putting it together – so we asked the directors what their favourite part of working with GCFS this year has been.

Mia Hardie

As president, it has been a delight to spend the majority of my university career on the GCFS committee and work my way up to President. I have found the role particularly demanding (unsurprisingly) but incredibly fulfilling and exciting, it has been a privilege to be involved across all aspects of the society and work so closely with Impact Arts, who support countless undervalued people across Scotland. It's too hard to say which part I have enjoyed the most as I have thoroughly enjoyed it all, from engaging with a new committee to working closely with the charity and I will be sad to come to the end of my run with the society. GCFS has truly made my university experience.

Craig Strachan

Everything! I don’t know if I could pick one thing but I would highly recommend getting involved to anyone who is interested. I think overall though we all get a buzz from being part of the process and progression of the campaign, reaching different milestones throughout the year enhances the excitement we carry through to the show and (cringe) makes us all so proud GCFS!!

Freya Hartley

Working closely with the fantastic charity, Impact Arts, and spending time with the entire committee. Everyone involved with GCFS are incredibly lovely, so it makes it a really fun society to be a part of.

Freya Corcoran

I absolutely loved working with the external press teams that have been involved with GCFS this year. It is so lovely to be able to showcase everyone's hard work through a platform that will reach those outside of Glasgow's student body.

Susie Al-Naib

I have loved being able to meet other interesting, creative and driven people! I have made so many new friends, and I have loved being involved in so many aspects of making the Fashion Show possible. The socials have always been amazing (shoutout to Rose) and my weekly content meetings with Talia and Freya have also been a highlight of working with GCFS!

Maeve Gorman

It’s difficult to choose just one favourite thing about working with GCFS this year! I have loved coming up with creative concepts and organising the photo shoots for our 23/24 campaign ‘Dreams’. It’s been such a privilege to work alongside the rest of the Creative Team and get to know all of our models and build some amazing friendships. We’ve also been fortunate enough to collaborate with some incredibly talented designers, photographers, MUAs and hair stylists. One of my personal favourite moments was the theme reveal launch at Alchemy Experiment. We played our video and had a lovely, wholesome GCFS time.

Issy Whyte

My favourite part about working with GCFS this year is definitely working with such great people and getting to learn on the job. My team has been amazing, and I have learned so much about production along the way.

Mimi Cartwright

Getting to know lots of like minded people! The whole team is so lovely.

Our last question to the directors (can’t be keeping them too long during show week!) was to ask them what they were most looking forward to on the night of the show.

Mia Hardie

On the night of the show I will very likely be running about looking very busy! but i cannot wait to see it all come together as the show begins and to show everyone in attendance all of the incredible work our 77-person society has been working so hard towards! Our event can't go on without the dedication from every single member involved so I owe a huge thank you to the committee and the models and first year reps and I really hope everyone seriously enjoys their night!!

Craig Strachan

Getting to see all of the attendees' outfits! I think everyone gets so excited about seeing what the models are going to be wearing, but having already seen those (gorg) pieces myself it is kind of the opposite effect for me, anticipating how the guests are going to style themselves! No pressure x

Freya Hartley

Seeing an entire years' worth of hard work come together! I am particularly excited (and nervous) to see our stunning new venue, Old Fruitmarket, filled with the 800 ‘Dreams 2024’ attendees!

Freya Corcoran

I think probably my friends coming to see it, and them being able to see everything that has come together. And of course, the show itself - the second the show starts will be such a big moment. Everyone has worked so hard; it's going to be so lovely to see the culmination of all our effort.

Susie Al-Naib

I am so excited to celebrate the end of the campaign with the rest of the committee and my best friends who are coming to watch the show! Seeing the venue and Maeve’s creative vision come to life will be incredible, and I can’t wait for the audience to have the best night ever!

Maeve Gorman

On show night I’m looking forward to seeing the hard work of the committee pay off. I can’t wait to see all the models kill their runway walks and showcase the work of all our wonderful designers. It’s the culmination of a lot of hard work and fundraising efforts so I’m just excited to take it all in. The show will be a showcase of creativity and everything that GCFS and Impact Arts is about, and I can’t wait!

Issy Whyte

I am really looking forward to seeing all our hard work throughout the year pay off and everyone having a fun night! I am always looking forward to smashing the fundraising side of it!

Mimi Cartwright

I can’t wait to see the show in all its glory. GCFS offers such create freedom to us as students, I’m buzzing to celebrate that with everyone involved!

The whole committee at GCFS would like to extend a huge thank-you to the directors for the work they have put in and the guidance they have provided throughout the last few months in preparing for Friday night – show night!

There are now only three sleeps to go before Glasgow’s biggest student-led charity night, which in its tenth year is aiming to be bigger and better than ever – and we can’t wait to see you there!!

VIP TICKETS

VIP Tickets

The countdown is over, and the biggest event of this month has arrived... That’s right, Glasgow Charity Fashion Show VIP tickets are on sale! Forget Christmas, New Year, or the end of exams; if there’s one thing you’ll want to make sure you’re involved in this December, it’s securing your place at the fashion show as one of our VIPs. So, why should you go for a VIP ticket? 

1. The amazing perks that only come with a VIP ticket

 Here at GCFS, we treat our VIPs very well. That includes: 

-Access to the official GCFS pre-party (who doesn’t love pres?)

- Over £20 worth of drinks 

- Live entertainment 

-Access to the fancy VIP area 

- A goodie bag 

- Free cloakroom (needed on a cold February night in Glasgow) 

- Exclusive Dreams afterparty entry (GCFS parties are the best parties) 

- A show programme (for the mems) 

All this, and the best night out of 2024 for a very reasonable £45!!!

1. To treat yourself 

With exam season getting us down, we all deserve a little treat – and what better way to get yourself through deadlines than treating yourself to a GCFS VIP ticket? That means when exams are over and done with (finally), you’ll only be closer to the best night out of next year! 

1. They make a great Christmas present 

 As fun as gift-giving can be, actually thinking of that gift is sometimes near impossible. That’s where a VIP ticket to the Glasgow Charity Fashion Show comes in. All those perks, a chance to see our amazing show itself, and know that you’re helping charity all at once? I know what I’ll be asking for! So, give the gift of GCFS this Christmas x 

1. To know you’re contributing to a great cause 

 Charity is at the heart of everything we do here at GCFS, and our main event will be no different. With Impact Arts’ mission being based in creativity, at our fashion show you can feel truly involved in the aims of the amazing work they do in coming to the show... and, EVERY penny of our ticket sales go towards them. 

  So, if you love a night out, having fun, getting your money’s worth, treating your loved ones, and helping charity, a GCFS VIP ticket is for you. They go on sale on Friday the 8th of December for £45, and all information can be found on our socials. We can’t wait to see all your beautiful faces there!