Foundation Presentation Evening
Good causes in and around Devon have benefited to the tune of more than £200,000 during the past three years following the creation of the Exeter Foundation.
Set up by a group of seven Exeter-based businessmen, the Foundation - which is the official charity of the Exeter Chiefs Rugby Club - quickly formulated a mission statement of providing the City of Exeter and its surrounding areas with a ‘Civic Trust’ that will promote our community and pursue the vision of people who live and work there.
The Foundation's aim was also to act as a fundraising body with a commitment to the future prosperity of Greater Exeter and also as a vehicle for promoting collective civic pride.
Since its inception, the Foundation has continued to grow in prominence and at their recent Presentation Dinner held at Sandy Park Stadium, organisations and charities from across the county again prospered from another year of dedicated fundraising.
The most recent recipients of a share of this pot were the Exeter Sea Cadets, who received £7,000 towards a new powerboat and trailer; whilst Hospiscare, who give high-quality care and dedicated support to people who are terminally ill, free of charge, were afforded a similar sum towards their outstanding work.
More than 130 people - including Exeter Chiefs players James Hanks and Jack Nowell, plus the Dean of Exeter Cathedral, the Very Reverend Dr Jonathan Draper- were in attendance for the evening, which also saw a host of other organisations receive their annual cheques, along with a bonus £500 ‘surprise gift’
Charities receiving cheques this year were: Brandon Trust, Sands, Exeter Adaptive Ski, Dream – a – Way, Lions Club of Exeter, Exeter Chiefs Youth Section, Families for Children, FORCE cancer charity, Ellen Tinkham School, Richard’s Wish, Vranch House, Wooden Spoon, Age UK Exeter, The C Group, Exeter Paediatric Oncology, Exeter Community
Foundation Chairman Tony Rowe OBE (pictured) said: "Again it has been a wonderful year for the Foundation, which continues to do so much work for the good in our local community. The sums of money which have been raised we know will make a huge difference to so many people and it remain our aim to make the Foundation bigger and better each year.
"To have raised more than £200,000 since we launched is a magnificent achievement and one which I know all of my fellow Trustees are very proud of."
An additional £1,250 was raised on the night, which was matched by Thomson Reuters, who are one of a number of supporters of the charity alongside Exeter Business Games, Northcott Beaton, Abode and Puffins of Exeter.