Chiefs get behind Exeter homelessness charity’s Christmas campaign
A city homelessness charity will receive a huge boost from Saturday, as its Christmas campaign film is broadcast to thousands of fans at a high profile match, in the Exeter Chiefs stadium.
Shown on the giant screens around the pitch, St Petrock’s short fundraising video, featuring Coldplay’s Christmas Lights, will be viewed by vast crowds at the big game between the Chiefs and Bulls.
Chief executive and chairman, Tony Rowe, has also given his permission for the film to air at the premiership club’s match against Bath on Christmas Eve, as well as on internal screens in all the bars and hospitality suites
The team, who were crowned 2020 champions of Europe, will also see the campaign film at their Christmas Lunch.
Peter Stephenson, St Petrock’s director, said: “We cheekily asked a few weeks ago whether it was permissible to screen the film in the stadium, but thought we were chancing our arm! We were completely bowled over when we heard that it was being broadcast at more than one match, as well as in the club’s bars and at the Christmas lunch too. It’s such a wonderful boost for us at a really tough time.
“Rough sleepers are suffering extreme hardship in this freezing weather and demand is rising all the time. Sadly, we’ve never been under so much pressure to provide our essential services and it looks as though things will become even harder. We’re incredibly grateful to Mr Rowe and Exeter Chiefs for this amazing generosity.”
St Petrock’s launched the gritty, yet heartwarming short film last month, as people on low incomes are plunged further into poverty, while the country slides into a recession triggered by soaring inflation and interest rate rises.
From discussions with partner agencies and from St Petrock’s own observations, it is estimated that the number of rough sleepers on the streets of Exeter has doubled in the space of just 12 months.
Coldplay has thrown its weight behind the charity’s first major Christmas campaign, granting consent for the use of bittersweet track, Christmas Lights.
All the faces featured in the film are St Petrock’s staff and real-life clients, who have consented to take part, in a bid to help the charity raise money for a service that is increasingly in demand.
A Day in the Life of St Petrock’s was produced completely free of charge by local film-makers, AllTold, whose team has worked for big name brands such as Coca Cola and Nike, as well as the National Trust and Tesco.
It’s being advertised across social media by AB Brand and Marketing, who have also donated their time for free.
Mr Rowe, whose premiership club is allowing the film’s advertising completely free of charge, said: “As a club and through our charity, the Exeter Chiefs Foundation, we are acutely aware of the amount of people who are currently braving the elements and living on the streets of our great city. If we can do anything to improve their lives - or that of others - then we are more than happy to play our part.
“Through our match-days and other major events here at Sandy Park, we want to help raise that awareness of the situation, as well as highlight the outstanding work of St Petrock’s in providing support to these people in need as best we can.”
Donations to St Petrock’s Christmas campaign can be made at www.StPetrocksChristmas.org.uk
