Portage Plains United Way is a little bit closer to their annual fundraising goal of $247,500, thanks to the efforts of the Portage Collegiate Institute (PCI) Trojans football team.

The team presented PPUW with a donation of $744.85 ahead of last Friday's home game, largely proceeds from a fundraising barbecue the team hosted Sept. 17. The fundraiser was part of a Winnipeg High School Football League (WHSFL) drive for United Way that allowed teams to play a game at Investors Group Field earlier this month. Trojans football coordinator Mark Diboll says the Trojans were the lone team outside of Winnipeg to get a chance to play at IGF, and enjoyed the experience.

"It was great for the kids to be able to go there and play. What we did in return was run a couple of fundraisers." Diboll says. "Portage la Prairie has (given) phenomenal, phenomenal support for us playing football. For us to be able to do something to give back is huge, especially for these guys to hear and see that."

PPUW executive director Mandy Dubois says the organization has now reached about 14 per cent of its fundraising goal of $247,500. PPUW kicked-off its annual fundraising campaign Sept. 8.

"I would say that's pretty standard. In my eyes, I feel like it's slow but it will come, and the donations will start coming in," Dubois says. "But having people do events like this for us, and raising money for us just gets us one step closer."