Chance to snap up RWC2015 balls and posts

Two signed Rugby World Cup 2015 balls will be up for grabs at an online charity auction on Thursday (21 January). Also available to the highest bidders will be three RWC2015 rugby posts, which for the last two and a half years have been situated in locations around Exeter.

All proceeds from the auction will be divided between the Lord Mayor’s charity - which this year is the Exeter Foundation, supporting 19 local organisations and charities across the area - and the ‘BEEP’ Programme, a highly successful RWC2015 Legacy project which helps young disadvantaged people into work and training.

The balls are limited edition ‘Exeter’ versions of the Rugby World Cup 2015 official ball by Gilbert, and have been signed by England 2015 squad players from Exeter Chiefs, Jack Nowell, Henry Slade and Geoff Parling.

Three pairs of the rugby posts, which were provided by the RFU as part of an ongoing legacy programme, have been donated to two local rugby clubs: Wessex and Topsham, and to Clyst Vale Community College, as a token of thanks for their support prior to and during Rugby World Cup 2015 in Exeter. The remaining three posts are being offered for auction. The posts will require new sockets in order to be used, and have RWC2015 and England Rugby/RFU branding.

Cllr Rosie Denham, Lead Councillor for Economy and Culture, said: “The auction is a great way for fans to obtain a unique piece of memorabilia from Rugby World Cup 2015 in Exeter. It will also help raise money for the Lord Mayor’s charity and the BEEP programme, a Rugby World Cup 2015 Legacy project and one of Exeter’s great success stories from the tournament. Over £1,200 has already been raised on the pop-up shop selling some of the City Dressing items and other RWC memorabilia. The auction is saving the best till last and we hope it will create a great deal of interest and excitement!”

The auction starts at 9am, is open to anyone and can be viewed at: www.jumblebee.co.uk/RWC2015Exeteritems

Once a bid has been placed bidders will receive a confirmation email. If they are subsequently outbid, they will receive another email advising them and inviting them to place another bid if desired.

The pop-up shop closes on 31 January at 11.59pm and still has a number of RWC2015 items, banners and flags still available: www.jumblebee.co.uk/rugbyworldcup2015exetercitydressing