Festive fun and fundraising

Cardiff Business School’s annual Christmas lights switch on, and tree unveiling, was bigger than ever this year and held as a charity fundraising activity for the first time.

Students from across the School’s programmes – Undergraduate and Postgraduate – were invited to attend the lunchtime festivities at the Postgraduate Teaching Centre on Thursday 1 December 2016, where lights, tinsel, baubles, Christmas tunes and mince pies abounded.

Professor Martin Kitchener, Dean of Cardiff Business School, led the proceedings and invited students to ‘buy a bauble’. Professor Kitchener led by example, making a charitable donation and helping to decorate the 12ft tree.  All proceeds raised are being donated to Cancer Research UK in memory of Mr Bruce Webb, a Cardiff Business School researcher and lecturer who passed away in October.

There was a relaxed and happy atmosphere throughout the Teaching Centre’s central atrium and entertainment included a photobooth (provided by Ultrabooth) where students could dress up in their festive finest and snap a souvenir of the day. Some of the staff couldn’t resist getting in on the act as well!

Dr Jane Lynch, Director of student Experience at Cardiff Business School, who arranged the event, said: “We are very much a community here at Cardiff Business School – staff and students alike – and it was fantastic to see so many people come out and share in the holiday spirit. Integrating international students in to that community is important and this was an opportunity to introduce many of them to different traditions. We are also determined to provide students with memorable experiences alongside their academic endeavours, and encourage new friendships to be established and cemented, across disciplines and years.

Dr Lynch added: “This was the first in a series of events designed to encourage the student community to #givesomethingback, in line with our Public Value ethos. Funds raised will be donated in memory of a colleague and friend, Bruce Webb, and I would like to thank everyone who attended for their enthusiasm and generosity.”

Further student events will be organised to support Cancer Research UK during the year, in the spirit of #givesomethingback.