Louis Ashworth

Police are seeking witnesses after £700 belonging to Cambridge RAG was stolen from their offices on 17 Mill Lane.

The theft of three boxes containing the charity’s cash occurred at some point over the weekend, but it is not known exactly when the incident occurred. 

The building, which is between Mill Lane and Silver Street, is managed jointly by CUSU and the Graduate Union. It houses both student unions. 

RAG (which stands for ‘Raising and Giving’) is a student society which organises events to raise money for 10 local, national and international charities of students’ choosing. According to their Facebook page, the society raises “in the region of £100,000 each year”.

It has an Executive Committee of four student volunteers and one full-time paid member of staff, who is elected by the organisation’s Administrative Committee. 

Their most popular events include ‘Jailbreak’, in which participants are given 36 hours to get as far away from Cambridge as possible without spending any money, and ‘Blind Date’, which matches up students from both Cambridge and Anglia Ruskin University. 

Their most recent event was ‘Varsity LOST 2016!’ on 5th November, in which 112 Cambridge students were dropped off in Kings Lynn, and given 24 hours to race to Birmingham against a group of Oxford students. 

Participants were not allowed to spend any money during their journey, and had to complete a number of challenges on the way. The event raised over £14,000. 

Speaking to Varsity, Cambridge RAG President Will McDermott confirmed that the theft had taken place, saying: “We reported the matter to the police and we are working with them.” He also appealed: “If anybody has any information please let us know.”

A police spokesperson said: “We are investigating a theft which occurred between 7:15pm on 11th November and 9:30am on 14th November in Mill Lane, Cambridge. Three charity boxes containing up to £700 were taken from the premises”.

“Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111”, they added. 

Varsity has contacted CUSU and the University for comment.