rhifyn 1127 issue 1127
gair rhydd
3 rhagfyr 2018 3 december 2018
Check out Gair Rhydd online
Cardiff University’s student paper | Established 1972
Cardiff University Sports clubs make lifesaving difference T to hospital patients
I was sexually harassed and I’m angry about it by Karis Pearson
his week our Comment Columnist focuses on her expereince of sexual harassment on a trip to Europe. Often, issues of sexual harassment in nightclubs are brushed aside as just being normal, and when they occur so frequently among women and also men, trivialising behaviour and brushing aside incidents that can have a long-lasting effect is only discouraging 14 people from reporting incidents.
Homelessness in Wales by Charlotte Raymond
B
reaking down the budgets, schemes and numbers surrounding homelessness in Wales, this week our Politics Section has+ a two-page spread exploring the issue in more depth. Discussing various schemes, the issue of youth homelessness and the way that councils will be impacted due to budget cuts. Wales is set to recieve a 16 ‘less prosperous’ deal in the aftermath of Brexit.
Women in STEM Feature by Luisa De La Concha Montes
H
aving launched an investigation into the effects that gender can have on studying a STEm subject, this week our Science Section have launched a Feature using research we have collected from a opinion survey and interviews with academics from various STEM based schools at Cardiff University. Take a look inside to read more 6 about it.
Making a donation: Tom Wilson, Captain of the 1st Men’s Rugby Team doing his part. Photo Credit: Welsh Blood Service by Jess Warren
O
n Friday, November 23, more than 100 student sportsmen and women rolled up their sleeves and donated blood at a specially arranged clinic for sports clubs at Cardiff University. The special ‘sports clubs’ clinic, was hosted at Cathays Community Centre, and was arranged per the request of Cardiff University Men’s Rugby Club. Last year, Will Bull from the team organised over 50 members from Men’s Rugby to donate, and wanted to build on the success of the previous year. This year, the rugby club was joined by donors from the Men’s Cricket Club, Women’s Rugby Club, Women’s Hockey Club, Men’s Hockey Club, Women’s Rugby Club and the Medics’ Netball Team, filling over 100 appointments. When asked about organising the session, Will Bull said: “The lads that came along to donate last year were impressed by how simple it is to donate, so this year we decided to put out the call to other sports
clubs to join us and find out for themselves. “We’ve been raising awareness of the session across our network of contacts and have worked hard to fill the appointment grid. We were delighted that so many of our fellow students responded to the call.” Along with the success of 100 blood donors, 40 of them also enrolled on the Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry. The Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry is a register of volunteers that is searched daily for potentially life-saving matches for patients in need of a bone marrow transplant. Hugh, a History student and Charity Officer for Cardiff University Cricket Club, attended with his teammates and donated for the first time: “We are really happy to support a great cause and raise awareness of the need for blood. “All of us from the cricket club are first time donors and we look forward to coming down again when the Welsh Blood Service returns to the area.” It has been calculated that one donation
of blood can potentially save up to three lives. The 100 donations achieved by Cardiff University’s sportspeople at this session could have a positive impact on up to 300 lives. Jonathan Ellis, head of donor engagement at the Welsh Blood Service and a former Cardiff University student, said: “Attendance at our donation sessions across Wales relies on us having advocates in local communities to help spread the word about blood donation. Cardiff Men’s Rugby have been a huge driving force in the success of this session. “We are grateful to Will, his rugby teammates and to all those who worked tirelessly to promote the session and ensure our appointment grid was full. “We look forward to seeing them all again in one of our local clinics in Cathays, City Hall, Tesco Western Avenue (near Talybont) or when we next visit Cardiff University in early 2019.” If you’d like to book a blood donation, visit welshblood.org.uk or call 0800 252 266
Cardiff Council reconsider development due to local campaign by Sion Ford
G
reen City Events, an environmental organisation, have been meeting with Cardiff Council to discuss the former public park in Splott and the development plans for it. Take a look inside to read about what the Council had to say on the topic, and how Green City Events have coordinated their efforts to influence the developemnt plan. 4