Online auction to raise funds for NHS staff

Exeter Chiefs have today thrown their full support behind the #HelpUsHelpYou appeal, which is aimed at helping the fantastic staff at the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust.

In these unprecedented times, brought about by the coronavirus pandemic, we are seeing first-hand the amazing work, commitment and dedication that is carried out by the NHS trust every day.

Here at the Chiefs, we wanted to help offer our backing to the NHS, particularly those working within the city itself, so to that end we have today launched a special online auction on eBay, where supporters will be able to bid for signed and unique memorabilia from the Chiefs and opposition sides they have faced in recent years.

Items include signed Exeter Chiefs players dating back to 2013 through to present day, signed shirts from Castres, Harlequins, Saracens and Wasps, as well as a signed Huddersfield Football Club shirt and a match officials shirt from the 2016-17 Anglo-Welsh Cup Final.

Also on offer include limited edition Rugby World Cup 2015 corner flags, signed by all the Chiefs who played in the tournament, a signed Tomas Francis Wales training jersey and an embroidered LV= Cup Final shirt from 2014.

The #HelpUsHelpYou appeal was launched to support staff at the RD&E Trust as they work incredibly hard to keep everyone safe and well during the current outbreak.

By donating to this appeal, you’ll help to support the physical and mental wellbeing of staff, as well as create a dedicated rest area and allow the Trust to look into providing iPads for the wards to allow patients to video call their families.

Tony Rowe OBE, chief executive of Exeter Rugby Club, said: “These are testing times for all of us, but the work being carried out by all of the NHS staff is truly amazing, particularly here in Exeter at the RD&E Hospital.

“As a club, we felt we needed to again offer our help and assistance and the #HelpUsHelpYou appeal provided us with the perfect opportunity to do just that. Our team manager has for a number of years collected various pieces of rare sporting memorabilia with the aim of one day putting it all together for a big fundraising event.

“Well, the time has now come for us to carry out that fundraising event and we encourage all Chiefs fans - and rugby supporters in general - to get involved and bid for these items. The money we raise we know will help to change lives and make a significant difference, so please get behind the appeal and show your support for the quite brilliant NHS.”

Ian Roome, Head of Fundraising at the RD&E Charity, added: “We’re incredibly grateful to Exeter Chiefs for thinking of us and raising money to benefit our fantastic staff at the RD&E. The money raised will go back to support their physical and mental wellbeing as our staff work incredibly hard during this difficult time.

“We have seen some extraordinary acts of kindness from the public recently and would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has shown their support or donated items or money to our #HelpUsHelpYou appeal.”

Go to https://www.charity.ebay.co.uk/charity/Exeter-Foundation/148829 to see the items up for auction.