Damira Davletyarova – Staff Writer       October 19, 2011 6:00 AM ADT

Soaking wet from the rain, UNB students kept the tradition and spirit of Neville/Jones residence alive – by pushing a bed all night to raise money for Women in Transition House.

This year, the annual Neville/Jones house bed push raised more than $11,000. It’s Friday night at 8 p.m. It’s drizzling. The well-lit soccer field sparkles with water particles. Four students are pushing the bed, making a lap, then passing it to another group that is ready for their turn. A local DJ, who has performed on international stages all over the world under the name DJ Nasty Naz, is in charge of the night’s music. Students play football and frisbee, dance and get a bite of pizza in between laps.

There’s still 12 hours to go, 272 laps to push – before they will head to the Boyce Farmers Market.

The 19th annual Neville/Jones House bed push officially ended with a cheque presentation to Women in Transition House representatives.

Originally, Neville/Jones house was an all male residence. Male students came up with the bed push idea to raise awareness about violence against women. They traveled to the UNB campus in Saint John, constructed a bed and pushed it all night – 120 kilometres – to Fredericton. All proceeds supported the shelter.

Last year, the RCMP prohibited UNB students to push the bed on the highway because of safety concerns.

This year, Neville/Jones House reopened its doors, but as a co-ed residence, after taking a year off to renovate the house.

Becky McBriarty, the first female president of the house, said that for her and most students in the house the bed push event was a new experience.