Students from the National University of Singapore (NUS) have raised close to S$170,000 through the Receiving and Giving (Rag) and Flag 2023 organised by the NUS Students’ Union (NUSSU). The funds – contributed by our partners, members of the public and the NUS community through their generous donations – will benefit charity programmes supported by Community Chest through 20 Social Service Agencies (SSAs).
The annual Rag & Flag keeps alive the fine time-honoured tradition established since 1958 to encourage the NUS family and the wider community to contribute towards uplifting the lives of the needy and less privileged.
Close to 900 NUS students traversed to different parts of Singapore with their tin cans on Flag Day, which took place on 29 July 2023, to canvass for donations from members of the public in support of the charity programmes. The charity effort culminated in NUSSU Rag & Flag Day, held this afternoon at NUS’ University Town, graced by Mr Hsieh Fu Hua, Chairman of NUS Board of Trustees as the Guest-of-Honour.
Wrapping up the fund-raising drive and as a gesture of appreciation to the community for their generous support, over 1,100 NUS students enthralled audiences with captivating performances and scintillating displays. Themed “Unravelling the Unknown”, the event showcased 14 energetic performances by NUS students decked out in dazzling hand-made costumes, as well as intricately-decorated thematic props and mobile displays hand-crafted by the students using recycled materials. This year’s event also saw the return of the Flag Carnival, with games and food booths set up by various NUS student groups and hostels, for the first time since 2019.
Mr Lee Yat Bun, President of the 44th Executive Committee (EXCO) of NUSSU, said, “Even after more than 60 years, NUSSU Rag and Flag Day continues to inspire generations of NUS undergraduates to give back to our greater community. As one of the first touch points for NUS freshmen to be introduced to university life, the Rag and Flag experience is a valuable form of exposure for them to be deeply involved with volunteering at Social Service Agencies, coming together to collect donations through flagging and working as one to put up performances to show gratitude to the Singapore public for their unwavering support towards our fundraising efforts.”
The proceeds from this year’s NUSSU Rag and Flag will be channelled through Community Chest to benefit 20 SSAs. These SSAs are:
- Ang Mo Kio Family Service Centre
- Autism Resource Centre Singapore
- AWWA School
- Care Community Services Society
- Children-At-Risk Empowerment Association (CARE Singapore)
- Club HEAL
- Fei Yue Community Services
- Fei Yue Family Service Centre
- Fernvale Gardens School
- HCSA Community Services
- Life Community Services Society (LCSS)
- Metta Welfare Association
- O’Joy Limited
- Rainbow Centre, Singapore
- Samaritans of Singapore (SOS)
- Singapore Association of the Visually Handicapped
- South Central Community Family Service Centre
- St Andrew’s Mission Hospital
- Towner Gardens School
- Youth Guidance Outreach Services
Members of the public can continue to contribute to this worthy cause through the Giving.sg online donation platform until 13 August 2023.
In the last 15 years, NUS students have raised more than S$4.5 million in donations for Singapore beneficiaries through the annual NUSSU Rag and Flag events.
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This story was first published in NUS News on 12 August 2023.
