Special silent auction launched to raise funds for Saints Foundation

The Foundation plays a key part in the local community, with its Social Inclusion Programmes supporting students who are struggling in – or are excluded from – mainstream education.

Education Programmes are also provided to primary schools to encourage young people to improve their health, character and numeracy skills.

But the Covid-19 pandemic has taken its toll on the Foundation, which has seen a significant loss in ongoing core funding.

And consequently, ideas have had to be conjured up to try to bring in money to help the Foundation continue its fine work.

One of several ways in which it is raising money is a two-week silent auction, with all proceeds used to support the ongoing work of the Foundation.

There are five items to bid on, with Saints stars Cobus Reinach, Tom Wood, Alex Waller, Harry Mallinder and Francois Van Wyk all donating different things.

The five auction items are listed here...

LOT 1

The pair of boots worn by Cobus Reinach on his very last appearance wearing the black, green and gold of Northampton Saints. The boots are signed by Reinach and presented in a fantastic frame to keep them safe for posterity. A truly individual and personal item. Starting bid: £500 (CURRENT BID £1000)

LOT 2

A unique coffee table, hand-crafted and donated by Tom Wood and Alex Waller. Your chance to own a fantastic piece of furniture, made just for you by two modern Saints legends. Starting bid: £400

LOTS 3 & 4

A signed pair of boots from Northampton Saints Foundation Ambassador, Harry Mallinder. These will be split into two lots, so each winning bidder will receive one of the boots, presented in a frame so they can be displayed and enjoyed.

Starting bid: £100 (per boot)

LOT 5

A pair of Rob Horne Derby Day Budgy Smuggler briefs, donated by Francois Van Wyk. These exclusive Budgy Smugglers were produced especially for the 2019 East Midlands Derby at Twickenham, and are no longer available to buy anywhere else. These will be signed by the (current) Saints player of your choice before presenting these to you. Starting bid £50

To place your bid on any of these items, email [email protected] with details of the item you are bidding on, and the amount you are pledging.

Bids will close at 5pm on Monday, July 20, and winners will be notified on Tuesday, July 21.

Along with the auction, the Foundation is raffling off a signed and framed 2019/20 Saints shirt, giving everyone the chance to own some memorabilia.

Tickets cost £10, and to enter simply text ‘Shirt’ to 70191.

Texts will cost £10 (to cover your raffle ticket) plus your standard rate for messaging**.

Entrants must be aged 16 and over and have the bill payer's permission.

Raffle entries will close at 5pm on Monday, July 20, 2020.

Each £10 ticket will be entered into the draw, which will then take place and the winner will be notified on Tuesday, July 21, 2020.

If you have any questions regarding the raffle, or if you are having trouble entering by text message, contact [email protected].

** Fundraising, payments and donations will be processed and administered by the National Funding Scheme (Charity No: 1149800), operating as DONATE. Texts will be charged at your standard network rate. For Terms & Conditions, see www.easydonate.org.