Robb fundraising on a roll

July 31, 2007

A Guinness World Record attempt at the longest distance rollerbladed in 24 hours by a team of four people, and a charity golf day, are just two of the events being conducted by the University of New England's Robb College as part of its annual fundraising week.

This year's event, which started on Monday, will raise funds for the Armidale Youth Refuge to support projects such as camping, excursions, the purchase of educational games and software, and other improvements to the community organisation.

The world record attempt will begin at Robb College at 8 pm on Friday 3 August and will be opened by the Armidale Dumaresq Mayor, Councillor Peter Ducat. The rollerbladers will attempt to do laps of the college's central courtyard throughout the 24-hour period.

The charity golf day will take place this Sunday, August 5. It will be in a mixed Ambrose format over 18 holes with tee-off starting at 10 am. The golf day is open to everyone, and caters for people of all skill levels. The cost for the event is $15, and drinks and lunch will be available for purchase. Anyone wanting lunch should book through the Armidale Golf Club by Wednesday 1 August. Those just wishing to play can book at any time before the event.

People involved in the fundraising will be hard to miss, as all 160 Robb College students are wearing bright orange pants, skivvies, and (where possible) rollerblades throughout the week. The students will be selling raffle tickets in the Mall outside the New England Hotel, which has been generous in assisting with the week's activities.

"We really want to put something back into the Armidale community because we get so much out of being here," said Robb College Projects Officer Skye Gabb (pictured here). "Seeing as we are university students, we thought we should try to give something back to the youth of Armidale."

Ms Gabb said that the week, sponsored this year by the New England Credit Union, had been helped by the contributions of local businesses. Many of these contributions came as prizes for the raffle, the major prize being a $600 entertainment system donated by Harvey Norman.

Last year Robb College raised around $6,000 for Steve Irwin's Wildlife Warriors.

Posted by Jim Scanlan at July 31, 2007 05:07 PM