Flutter Raises Over £350K for Cure Leukaemia at Annual Charity Ball

The 2003-launched organization that currently offers potentially life-saving treatment to patients across the UK, Cure Leukaemia, has received a generous boost of over £357,000 ($453,000), thanks to funds raised by Flutter’s annual Charity Ball and a series of other pre-event donations. 

The yearly event supports pioneering clinical trials, with this year’s contributions set to help expand access to innovative treatments nationwide.

The ball, held at the Royal Armouries in Leeds, gathered hundreds of attendees in an effort to raise an impressive £282,000 ($357,000) on the night, building on more than £75,000 ($95,000) raised by Flutter beforehand. 

The funds will significantly contribute to the ATICUS network, a groundbreaking £1 million-a-year initiative supporting 15 UK medical centers, including facilities in London, Leeds, and Manchester.

For the first time, the ATICUS network will provide children across the country with access to advanced, potentially lifesaving treatments for blood cancer through its clinical trial infrastructure.

Personal Stories Highlight the Night

The evening, hosted by ITV Racing’s Ed Chamberlin and Oli Bell, combined entertainment with heartfelt stories. 

Reflecting on his own experience with cancer, Chamberlin said he always looks forward to hosting the Flutter Charity Ball for Cure Leukaemia “not least because it’s a fun night,” but also because he had his own “brush with cancer in the past.”

“Knowing funds raised could ultimately accelerate access to less harmful treatments for children puts the importance of the entire night into perspective,” Chamberlain added.

George Lineker, ambassador for the ATICUS network and son of Cure Leukaemia patron Gary Lineker OBE, shared his journey of surviving acute myeloid leukemia as an infant, emphasizing the importance of continued support. 

Lineker explained that funds raised for Cure Leukaemia “could ultimately help change the fate of so many who might otherwise not be as fortunate.”

Hope for the Future

Cure Leukaemia’s chief executive officer, James McLaughlin, expressed gratitude for the overwhelming support, explaining the raised fund “will make a profound impact” on their mission to “bring hope to the 250,000 people living with blood cancer in the UK.”

McLaughlin also explained that the shown generosity “not only empowers groundbreaking research but also brings us closer to a future free from this devastating disease.”

The night also featured a darts challenge with pro Joe Cullen who plays in Professional Darts Corporation events and the moving story of Jude Hawkridge, a young boy whose life was saved by clinical trials funded by Cure Leukaemia. 

Jude’s parents, Jo and Jim, underscored the necessity of more trials to save lives.

Flutter’s Broader Commitment

Sky Betting & Gaming‘s chief commercial officer, Steve Birch, also took the opportunity to highlight the company’s commitment to impactful giving. 

Birch spoke about his visit to the Christie Research Centre in Manchester where he “witnessed firsthand the transformative work” enabled by the funds. 

“We are truly grateful for the generosity of everyone who made this possible,” he added. 

The event is part of Flutter’s Positive Impact Plan, aiming to improve 10 million lives globally by 2030 through its “Do More” sustainability initiative 

Do More is Flutter’s “global commitment to give back to communities and causes where we live, work and play” with a main focus on Sport & Play, Tech4Good, and Health & Wellbeing. 

The initiative has already improved 1.5 million lives since 2022. In 2023 alone, Do More had donated over $10.3 million. 

In June, Flutter was recognized in TIME’s 100 Most Influential Companies 2024 List. In September, the company announced it would acquire Playtech’s consumer arm in a major deal aimed at its further expansion.