Say cheese: Adele Burrows, Students' Union Sports and Activities Officer, hands the Outstanding Achievement award to SocCul student Steve Laycock, of the Film-Making Society. Photograph by Chris Jankowski, SocCul.

The judges said of the group, which is dedicated to raising funds for charity: "RAG at Sussex has traditionally been much smaller than at other universities, where RAG week can be bigger than freshers. However, this year they have organised themselves and held an excellent RAG week. Uniquely, the society even has a health and safety officer!"

A sister event to the successful Sports awards dinner, Cheers! celebrates all activities, rather than focusing solely on the winners. "The name is used because we're saying well done to everyone involved," says Mike Riley, Clubs and Societies Coordinator for the Students' Union.

Attendees at the event were greeted with a glass of bubbly and a variety of performances including songs from Nana, the winner of last term's campus-based musical talent contest, Arena. Arena itself won event of the year; while a student-led push to raise awareness of Fairtrade produce and get it introduced on campus was voted campaign of the year.

One of the major additions to Cheers! this year was the new certificate that was handed out to all students who've been placed by Project V, the University's volunteer bureau.

Karen Belton, Project V volunteering manger, says the new certificates are designed to recognise students' efforts: "They've all worked so hard, and often volunteers don't get recognised in this way. The certificate will also be something official they can keep and use to show the activities they've taken part in."

 Meanwhile, the annual Sussex sports awards dinner took place on Saturday (1 May). A true black-tie and ballgown event, this year it was held in the salubrious surroundings of the Hilton Metropole hotel.

Women's Basketball won team of the year. The only BUSA Division 1 team at Sussex, they reached the final of a national competition, losing gallantly in the final by 11 points to Manchester University. Their coach, CJ Lee, Students' Union Activities Centre manager, won the SussexSport staff award.

Sailing won club of the year and Women's Football most improved club. It was a double bill for the rugby clubs, which walked off with sportsman and woman of the year. An injured Adam Hickie managed to raise thousands for Men's Rugby and grabbed the accolade, while Lizzie Brown, captain of Women's Rugby and a leading light in the yellow-ribbon meningitis campaign, was also successful.

Full details of all the winners can be found at www.ussu.info/activities