Rag week at University College Cork has raised a total of £25,592.20 for local charities, it was confirmed last week. The figure is more than 40 per cent higher than last year's total of £18,000.

Donations of at least £500 will go to 30 charities. Cancer and multiple sclerosis charities will get £2,000 each, as will the Meningitis Research Foundation. Sail Chernobyl gets £1,000.

More than £10,200 was raised by students during Collectors' Day, and the rest of the money came from five themed nights. The total includes donations from pubs and student-oriented businesses and from the then college president, Michael Mortell.