SIX Devon charitable organisations will benefit from a new fundraising campaign which has been launched by Exeter City Football Club.

In addition to donations, funds will be raised through the use of new Eco Cups which will also reduce waste from single use plastic.

The six organisations who will benefit from the new Exeter City Community Fund are Exeter City Community Trust, Exeter Community Initiatives, Alright Mate? CiC, Exeter Leukaemia Fund, Devon Rape Crisis and Sexual Abuse Services, and Refugee Support Devon.

It is estimated that the new Eco Cups will save 10 tons of single use plastics each season – the equivalent to the world’s largest land mammal, the African bush elephant!

Nick Hawker, chair of Exeter City Supporters’ Trust, said: “We take our role as a club working for the benefit, and at the heart, of our community very seriously.

“We know there are a great many organisations, including our partner charities Exeter City Community Trust and Exeter Community Initiatives, doing incredible work and we’re really pleased to be able to support them in this way.

“The new Eco Cups look fantastic and I’m sure they will be very popular with supporters. To be able to donate to our fund and reduce the use of single use plastics really feels like a win-win situation for us all.”

Jamie Vittles, chief executive of Exeter City Community Trust, said: “We are pleased to be part of this initiative. There is so much excellent work being delivered by charitable organisations across Devon, and we’re delighted to see that being supported through the new fund.”

Ellie Taylor, business operations manager at Exeter Community Initiatives, said: “We’re very grateful to be one of the six Devon charities benefitting from Exeter City Football Club’s new fundraising campaign.

“Their new reusable Eco Cup is a brilliant green initiative and we wish them every success with it!”

Supporters purchasing drinks will pay a £1 deposit for their cup, they will then have the option to return their cup and receive their deposit, keep it as a memento or return it and donate their deposit to the Community Fund.

Donations to the fund can also be made at points around the ground via QR codes, as well as online at the club website at: https://newtickets.ecfc.co.uk/donations/ .