2017 The Exeter Foundations most successful year to date

The Exeter Chiefs charity is celebrating its most successful fundraising period since it was launched six years ago.  Donations totalling more than £250,000 were made in the 13 months from June 2016 to June 2017.  And £175,484 was handed over to organisations in the Exeter area.  The money helped fund a range of projects including sports facilities, vehicles and refurbishments.

The Exeter Foundation was formed six years ago by a group of businessmen with a passion for fundraising and rugby.  Since then, the charity has banked more than £1m and helped dozens of worthy causes. Most of the money is collected through donations at the rugby club and car parking charges on match days.  However, a substantial amount of cash has also been raised from events such as cycle rides, sponsored walks and charity dinners.

In addition 15 companies, known as the Foundation XV, also pledge to raise at least £1,500 each every year. 

Chaired by Exeter Chiefs chief executive, Tony Rowe, the Foundation’s mission is to make Exeter a greater place to live for all of its citizens. Another of the trustees is Exeter-born celebrity chef Michael Caines.  Mr Rowe said: “We knew there was potential for a charity linked to the rugby club to raise an awful lot of money but its success has been beyond our wildest expectations.  I would like to thank everyone who has made a donation in the past six years, from those who have thrown the odd coin into a bucket at Sandy Park, to the large cheques we have received from organised events.  Your money has made a big difference to many, many lives.”

The total raised in the past 13 months was £255,659 compared to £185,221 the previous year.