Relay for Life 2014: how it went

You can still sponsor us: http://www.mycharity.ie/event/team_archaeology_2014/

On Wednesday 9th and Thursday 10th of April 2014, the Archaeology Society took part in the UCD Relay for Life in aid of the Irish Cancer Society. This year, we had two teams of 15 members registered !

>>> All photographs of the event can be found here <<<

We started early by setting up our fundraising tent between 12pm and 2pm: last year, the treacherous Irish winds had broken our previous gazebo, so this time, we took extra care to make it as stable as possible, tying it to the fences and adding extra weights around the feet. We had the Classics society as our neighbours for the event.

The Archaeology tent at the UCD Relay for Life 2014

The Classics Society at the UCD Relay for Life 2014

In addition to our 24-hour bake sale, we had organised a special lap, in armour and historical costumes: our very own "Historical Shield Parade". We received the visit of Prof. Gabriel Cooney, Dr. Alan Peatfield and Mr. Conor McDermott for this occasion ! However, the organisers of the Relay had quite a few problems with the sound system and in the end, we had to charge mainly to the sound of our Viking horns and battle cries. It was great fun though, and we sure made an impact on the visitors !

The Historical Shield Parade

We spent the rest of the afternoon selling cakes at our tent, as well as around campus, where a few of us went around with boxes of beautifully decorated cupcakes. Back on the pitch, the rest of the team was busy showing our visitors the various pieces of armour that we had on display: chain-mail, leather scabbards, furs, horns...

Curious visitors handling Tom Manning's shield

Then the evening came and with it, the beautiful Candle of Hope ceremony. This is really the heart of the Relay for Life: when candles are lit to celebrate survivors and to remember, to honour those we lost to cancer. A choir was singing The Parting Glass and members of the organizing committee read a poem. We then proceeded to walk three laps, in silence, to reflect on the meaning of Relay.

The Candles of Hope

As night went on, everyone kept fundraising in a variety of ways: selling tea, selling pizza, a raffle prize, dying hair, giving massages ... At the same time, the Relay organisers had put together a programme of activities to keep us all awake, and so it is that around 11pm, the UCD Trad Soc took the pitch and entertained us with their lively music (see video below). The bravest of us stayed at the tent throughout the night... ( I didn't this time!).

The "Night Team" at the Archaeology tent

The Relay ended at 2pm on the following day, by a gathering of all participants on the Relay track, and a crazy run to the sound of loud pop music. Once more, we were putting down the gazebo - in one piece this time - feeling both exhausted and exhilarated by the energy of Relay. It really is the most special event taking place at UCD every year, and we hope that the Society will be there again next year with a team (or two! ), to keep the spirit of Relay alive, and to keep fundraising for the Irish Cancer Society. The video below shows the highlights of the Relay 2014.

By Alexandra Guglielmi

>>> All photographs of the event can be found here <<<

You can still sponsor us: http://www.mycharity.ie/event/team_archaeology_2014/

The UCD Relay for Life 2014 Highlights

The 2014 UCD Relay for Life Archaeology Team (Team Members, Bakers and Shield-Bearers) was: 

Micheál Butler, Paul Codd, John Collins, Cian Corrigan,Alan Cumiskey,
Sarah Delaney (Team Captain), Peter Dodd, Mollie Christina Dogherty, Stephen Domican,
Emmet Fennelly, Mena Fitzgibbon, , Connor Fitzmaurice, John Fogarty, Adam Fowler,
Emily Geoghegan (Team Captain), Alexandra Guglielmi, Alix H., Sam Hughes,Conor Kavanagh,
Terry Kelleher, Patricia Kenny, Sean Kinsella, Lily MacNulty, Tom Manning,
Miriam McGovern, Holly Miley, Kerrie Nic Chormaic,Paula Moran Ortin,
Aisling O'Riordan Greene, Elena Sanchez Alonso, Jonathan Shiell,
Aoife Spollen, Brandon Walsh and Liam Wilson.

THANK YOU !

Charity bake sale for ASH Animal Rescue

Source

Dear everyone, 

Next week, Society member Miriam van der Molen will be having a charity bake sale in aid of ASH Animal Rescue. The bake sale will take place on

Wednesday 16th April

12pm-3pm

Main Foyer, New Student Centre

"ASH Animal Rescue, run by Helena and Remy, has taken in dogs and cats since 1990. At the moment they have about 50-60 cats and the same number of dogs. ASH also has 23 permanent cat residents and keeps dogs permanently themselves that are unsuitable for rehoming, as there is a very strict no-kill policy in practice in ASH. They also have 3 foxes and other wild animals which are unable to live in the wild, which are permanent residents.

Helena and Remy do unbelievable work, having only 1 paid employee and 2 permanent volunteers. On their facebook page they post lost and found pets, and on their website they upload animals for rehoming. Please buy cakes to fund the amazing work these people do! :) 
Miriam"

Website: http://www.ashanimalrescue.com/ash/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ashanimalrescue 

Aware charity bake sale

On Wednesday 12th February 2014, the Archaeology Society organised a bake sale in aid of Aware, a charity that offers support for people suffering from depression and mental illnesses.

Part of the bake sale team on the day, left to right:
Melanie Dunne, Sarah Delaney, Alexandra Guglielmi, Emily Geoghegan, Sam Hughes

It was a fantastic day and we had a huge success! We set up our stall in the main foyer of the New Student Centre at UCD, decorating the area with the bright green Aware balloons and fundraising posters we had been kindly sent by the Aware team. And then, at 12pm, it all started! It was great to see such enthusiasm and commitment: some members of the School of Archaeology staff came down to support us and buy cake, countess Society members turned up, bringing their friends with them to support our cause.

Selling cakes around the Arts Building, from r. to l. :
Brandon Walsh, Alexandra Guglielmi, Emily Geoghegan

And then, at around 1pm, Tom appears with 3 boxes of beautifully decorated cupcakes his friend's mother had made! So off we go, a little team of four of us, headed towards the main Arts building to sell these cakes. There again, we were met by a lot of enthusiasm from the students having their lunch break in the Newman building.

When we wrapped up at 2pm, it was with big grins on our face, and a fairly heavy collection bucket! Thank you everyone who made this day possible, and especially our bakers: Sarah P. Delaney, Melanie Dunne, Chrystine Skelly, Emily Geoghegan and her friends, Holly Miley, Miriam van der Molen, Katherine Mccormack and Tom Manning. Further thanks to everyone who helped on the day, selling cakes around the Student Centre and around the Arts building.

You can see all the pictures from the event on our Flickr gallery. 

Together, we have raised more than we had hoped for !

Reminder: charity bake sale !

Valentine's bake sale in aid of Aware

Hello everyone!

The Society will be supporting Aware, charity for mental health and support, next week by hosting a bake sale! It will take place during our coffee morning slots in the main foyer of the New Student Centre. 

Wednesday 12th February

12-2pm

New Student Centre

We have decided to make it a Valentine's themed one, and you will be able to buy cakes and gift them to a friend, boyfriend, girlfriend or family thanks to our amazing Sarah who will be writing the name of the person receiving the cake on them! (More details to follow). 


For now, get ready to share the love and support charity !