STUDENTS at the University of Bradford have been taking part in a series of weird and wonderful activities this week to raise money for charities including the Telegraph & Argus Crocus Cancer Appeal.

Sports clubs and societies from the university's Union of Students have thrown themselves wholeheartedly into their annual Raising and Giving week, with events including 24 hour sporting marathons and a Chinese New Year dinner and bake off.

All the money raised during the week will be shared between three charities, the Crocus Appeal, the Penny Appeal and Bradford Action for Refugees.

In 2014, the Union raised almost £7,000 for the Crocus Appeal through various fundraising events, including RAG week.

On Monday, there was a 24 hour RAG All Nighter, where many students spent a whole day on campus taking part in feats of endurance. Among the sporting teams holding 24 hour matches and events were the women's rugby team, the netball team and the Jui Jitsu squad, who took part in a 24 hour "throwathon." Other groups enjoyed movie marathons and a mammoth video games session with the Video Games Society.

Those taking part collected sponsorship money and had collection buckets to rake in the money for the good causes.

There were bake sales through the week, and a ladies night is planned for this evening. Tomorrow there will be a "Skate with Sabres" event at Bradford Ice Rink, where members of the university hockey team will teach people how to skate like a pro for £2. The event runs from 10.30pm to midnight.

And the fundraising will not end at the weekend - the union wants to hold further RAG events throughout the year.

The Crocus Appeal is a partnership between the Telegraph & Argus, the University, Yorkshire Cancer Research and Sovereign Health Care Charitable Trust. Founded in 2013, the appeal's aim is to raise £1 million to help pay for a new mass spectrometer for Bradford University’s Institute of Cancer Therapeutics. The high-tech machine will mean scientists can study the role of proteins in cancer ten times faster than before.

Victoria Collins, Development Officer at the University, said: “We are really pleased that the Student Union has chosen to support the Bradford Crocus Cancer Appeal again this year as one of its RAG charities.

"Last year the union raised an incredible £6,800 for the appeal and we’re hoping that this year is just as successful.”

Zekarias Haileselassie, environment and welfare officer at the Union of Students, said: “Raise And Give Week is a fun, exciting and innovative opportunity to galvanise as many students to raise as much money as possible for noble causes in the community and across the UK."

Jimi Oke, democracy and development officer, said: "The 24 hour events were a challenge for those involved. They were sponsored and were collecting through the week. It has created a real buzz around the university and encouraged people to donate. We have had a lot of events this week and more are happening throughout the year."