The Department of Psychology has donated over £500 to charity after staff organised and performed in a live variety show at Anglia Ruskin's Mumford Theatre, showcasing a range of musical, comedic and dance acts for a 200 strong audience of undergraduate and postgraduate students.

The event, which took place in April, included comedic performances consisting of a unique rendition of Monty Pythons The Lumberjack Song by Matt Bristow and Peter Hills, a rather slap-dashed attempt at the Gangnam Style by Daragh McDermott and a memorable recorded rendition of the now famous Harlem Shake by various members of staff.

Musical entertainment included an outstanding version of Nina Simone's Be My Husband by Helen Keyes as well as a trio of wonderful acoustic covers, which included The Pixies' Where Is My Mind, by John Lambie. This was followed by a live set from the departmental band, Dr Standard and the Deviations, fronted by Rachel Cook, Head of Department, and supported by Steven Stagg and Mick Finlay on electric guitars, Matt Bristow on the bass and George Bainton on drums.

Other performances included a memorable re-enactment of Time Warp and a sing-along version of Always Look on the Bright Side of Life that brought together all of the departmental lecturing, technical and administrative staff involved on the night.

All money raised totalled £550, and was donated equally between charities chosen by the students, DHIVerse and Headway Cambridge.

A lunch reception was then held in May on the Cambridge campus to present the donations to the charities. Mary Goode (Headway) and Bob Dalzell (DHIVerse) were provided with a campus tour and department presentation, including an overview of research of PhD Researcher Charlotte Smith's work, who is investigating the process through which women disclose their HIV positive status within an intimate partner relationship.

Speaking after the event, Mary Goode thanked all the students and staff for their hard work and generosity. Bob Dalzell also thanked all involved and suggested that the staff "will all be going for Oscars or BAFTAS next year!" - We don't think we are quite that ready yet!

Those involved in the organisation would like to take this opportunity to thank firstly all of the students who attended and donated so generously. Secondly, we would like to thank all of those involved, especially the staff who performed on the night or kept the show running backstage (Rachel Manning and Fiona Ashworth). A particular, thank you to the staff of the Mumford Theatre and the Psychology technical staff (most notably Richard Purkiss, Leigh Stephenson, and Samuel Bennett) without whose help this event would not have been possible.

For more information on the event or for details on either of the charities please contact either Daragh McDermott or Kate Cocksedge.