Oxford students raise funds for ‘Yolanda’ victims

Oleri Galope, a Filipino student and president of the Oxford Philippines Society, hosted a special formal dinner at Oriel College, University of Oxford on November 23 to raise money to help the victims of Supertyphoon “Yolanda” (Haiyan) in the Philippines.

The event was attended by students from different colleges of the University of Oxford as well as representatives of the Philippine Embassy, including Consul General  Senen Mangalile, the acting ambassador of the Philippines to the UK, Maria Fe Pangilinan, and other dignitaries.

The 138  guests, mostly foreign students, enjoyed the magnificence of the historic surroundings of Oriel, the fifth oldest college in Oxford, and the college with the oldest Royal Foundation, whose official visitor is the Queen.

The event started with a champagne reception at Oriel’s Champneys’s Room, accompanied by a performance by a cellist from the Oxford University Philharmonia.

The event has been a great success, with great help from Oriel College, University of Oxford, and their different sponsors.

“We had 10 days to prepare and it has been hard-work but we cannot stay at Oxford and do nothing. Although we are students, and we are away from our home country, we felt the need to contribute in any way we can no matter how small the contribution is,” says Galope

From the dinner and donations online they were able to raised more than £6500.