Sale of RWC2015 dressing items raises £1,765 for charity

Charities in Exeter have received a cash windfall thanks to the sale of dressing items from the Rugby World Cup 2015.

A total of £1,765 was raised through the sale of Rugby World Cup 2015 City Dressing items such as banners and bunting used to promote the Tournament in Exeter. Pin badges, lanyards, mini balls and other accessories were also auctioned to raise money, all donated by England 2015, the Tournament organiser.

Of the total, £445 was raised in a separate auction where a set of the promotional goalposts was sold off as well as two limited edition rugby balls which were both signed by the three England squad players from Exeter Chiefs, Jack Nowell, Geoff Parling and Henry Slade.

The City Council created an online pop-up shop in December which created a great deal of interest across the region.

The proceeds from the sale and auction have been divided equally between the Lord Mayor's charity, the Exeter Foundation, and the BEEP project - 'Business Empowering Employment Programme', a very successful Rugby World Cup 2015 Legacy project to help young people get into training or employment.

Councillor Rosie Denham, Lead Councillor for Economy and Culture, presenting the cheques to each of the charities, said: "The legacy of Rugby World Cup 2015 is strong in Exeter, and the sale of memorabilia will support the tremendous work of the BEEP programme, part of which is led by enthusiastic volunteers in the business sector to mentor and support young people and give them the confidence to adapt to the sometimes daunting world of work.

"The project began as part of the Rugby World Cup 2015 Legacy programme and has seen so much success for the young people that it has been adopted by the wider business community. This donation will go towards the next 10-day course once funds have been raised from other sources.”