The annual sporting event between the University of Plymouth and Plymouth Marjon University took place in March, with 19 fixtures over 10 different disciplines and hosting over 500 student athletes. The University of Plymouth claimed the Varsity Championship, defeating the city rivals 25 - 13. The competition raised a massive £11,362 which will be split between Devon Mind and Plymouth Domestic Abuse Services, these charities were chosen by students.

The main fundraising came from rugby matches held at Plymouth Albion RFC and the football at Plymouth Argyle FC, where more than 1700 tickets were sold across both fixtures. The amount of money raised reflects the huge support students from both institutions gave to the event and the importance of this annual competition.

Representatives from the charities, Marjon, the Students’ Union and students who participated in Varsity came together to unveil the final total raised and to watch the premiere of the official Varsity Aftermovie which shows our amazing students at both institutions in action. You can watch the video below.

We also learned more from the charities themselves about the impact this fundraising will have on their work. Read more on what they had to say below.

University of Plymouth students’ chosen charity this year was Devon Mind. 

 
Devon Mind:
 

“We are so grateful to everyone at Plymouth Uni who supported Devon Mind at this year’s Varsity competition. The incredible amount you raised will go a long way to enabling us to support more people in Plymouth and wider Devon who need help with their mental health.

 

As an independent charity, all the support services we offer are funded by generous individuals and organisations from the community, so the funds raised will have a direct impact on our ability to help people. And of course, well done Team Plymouth on your win!”

This year, Marjon selected Plymouth Domestic Abuse Services as their chosen charity for Varsity.

Plymouth Refuge, Plymouth Domestic Abuse Services

“Plymouth Refuge, part of Plymouth Domestic Abuse Services, provides emergency temporary accommodation for up to 28 adults and their children.

 

We provide beds, support, and essentials. But the money you have raised will help us offer so much more! We want our clients not just to survive, but to thrive. Domestic abuse is all consuming; it chips away at identity, self-confidence, and undermines basic human rights such as the right to feel safe. With your help, we can help give this back. We love to take our families on day trips, to places such as Woodlands, Crealy, and The Eden Project; and to fun activities including trampolining, paddling in the sea with an ice cream, and celebrating holidays and milestones. This gives them the opportunity to create new, happy memories, and to develop confidence. We will be able to help people find hobbies they enjoy, boosting their mental health and wellbeing, including helping them to access fitness and sport. Most importantly, we will be able to help our clients discover who they are.

We hope you had a fantastic time during Varsity and feel honoured to have been welcomed onto your team!”

Finally, a huge thank you firstly to all the teams who took part from the University of Plymouth and Plymouth Marjon University and secondly to every single person who came to support these teams at any of the fixtures throughout Varsity 2022!