Chiefs champion children’s charity of rugby

EXETER Chiefs, England’s reigning Premiership champions, began the defence of their maiden top-flight title with a four-figure donation to the children’s charity of rugby.

Sharing a slice of the feelgood factor that has enveloped Sandy Park since the club’s 23-20 victory over Wasps at Twickenham in May, the West Country-side presented Wooden Spoon Devon with a cheque for £9,375 during its Season Launch Dinner.

The sizeable sum was a share of the monies collected by the Exeter Foundation on match-days during the Chiefs successful 2016/2017 campaign.

Set up six years ago by the club and a group of local businessmen, the Foundation serves to promote its local community and selects 20 charities each year to benefit from its fundraising efforts.

Roger Haywood (second from left) and Mike Wisdom (fourth from left) receive the cheque from Jill Douglas and are flanked by chef Michael Caines (far left) and Keiron Northcott (far right). Pictures courtesy of ppauk. 

Wooden Spoon Devon chairman Roger Haywood and committee member Mike Wisdom received the cheque from sports presenter and Wooden Spoon Ambassador Jill Douglas and Exeter Foundation trustees Michael Caines – a Michelin-starred chef – and Keiron Northcott.

“This donation is thanks to the efforts of our great band of volunteers who parked cars and helped with bucket collections on match days at Sandy Park last season,” said Roger.

“We are now gearing up to do it all again, which gives us a great opportunity to be the very public face of Wooden Spoon in Devon and engage with as many rugby fans as possible.

“Our distinctive jackets means everyone instantly knows who we are and it’s great to be part of such a good day out.”

To find out more about Wooden Spoon Devon, click here.