Six Devon charities have shared a pot of £20,000 thanks to the generosity of Exeter City Football Club supporters.
The charities are all supported by the Exeter City Community Fund which sees money raised throughout the season.
Proceeds from the Party at the Park and sponsorship of the management team who took part in the Exeter City Community Trust-organised half marathon last year have contributed to the total. This is alongside donations collected from the club’s new Eco Cups, which see customers pay a returnable deposit, which they can choose to donate to the fund, by dropping their cups at the collecting points.
The organisations supported by the fund are Exeter City Community Trust, Exeter Community Initiatives (ECI), Alright Mate? CiC, Exeter Leukaemia Fund, Devon Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Services, and Refugee Support Devon.
A seventh charity – Brazilian charity Onda Solidária - is being added to the group for the coming season. The charity, which works to promote social inclusion through generating opportunities in low income communities in Brazil, is supported by the Brazilian football club Fluminense. It was Fluminense’s Laranjeiras stadium which hosted City’s famous match against Brazil in 1914 which was the start of the two clubs’ relationship, which continues to this day.
Nick Hawker, chair of Exeter City Supporters’ Trust, said: “We are delighted to be able to share this fantastic amount of money between our nominated charities. They are all doing varied, but much-needed work across the city and wider area.
“Thank you to everyone who made a donation, or contributed in any way, over the season, your generosity will make a big difference to the people supported by these groups.”
Nick added: “It’s also great to be able to support the Brazilian charity and further cement our relationship with Fluminense by supporting Onda Solidaria and the work they do in Brazil.”
To find out more about Exeter City Community Fund, or make a donation, please click here.