Students will normally do anything for a free beer or pizza.
But this crazy bunch is going the extra mile for a free car.
Nineteen University College Cork (UCC) students forked out €50 yesterday for what could be a lengthy test of endurance and stamina.
They each placed a hand on a new Volkswagen Polo and whoever braves the elements over the coming days to become the ‘last man standing’ wins the car for a year, thanks to Blackwater Motors at Victoria Cross.
The motor dealer has also agreed to cover the road tax, and provide a tank of petrol and a free valet service.
Student leaders reckon the competition could last until the weekend.
The competition is taking place on campus as part of UCC’s annual Rag Week celebration.
All proceeds from the competition will be donated to the Simon Community, the Irish Children’s College Haiti, ARC Cancer Centre and Cork University Hospital. More than €1,000 was raised yesterday alone.
A Take Me Out style event takes place in Devere Hall today, and a Wii Can Dance event takes place tomorrow.
Eoghan Healy, from the students’ union at the university, said they hope to break Rag Week’s fundraising record this year.
"This is one of our highlights and is a great opportunity for one student to walk away with a brand new car," he said.
"We’re asking people to come along and support the students for what could be a very long competition and we’re hoping that the current cold spell will have passed."
Blackwater Motors sales manager Peter Reeve said they were delighted to come on board and assist the charities.
They are also offering free road tax to any UCC student who buys a new or used car from them.
Contact sport
* Students must touch the car. Leaning is not permitted.
* They will get a 10 minute break every two hours.
* They will get two meals in each 24-hour period: pasta at 7pm last night, porridge at 7am today.
a d v e r t i s e m e n t
This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, February 07, 2012
