Come on Russia! Paddy Power hits £80,000 for LGBT+ charities

Paddy Power is revelling in its World Cup 2018 charitable campaign ‘Rainbow Russians’, having racked up £80,000 in donations for LGBT and equality/inclusivity causes.

In partnership with Attitude Magazine’s ‘Foundation’, Paddy Power launched Rainbow Russians’ at the start of Russia 2018, detailing that the bookmaker would challenge LGBT+ prejudices and homophobia in football.

The charitable campaign sees Paddy Power ‘Put-in’ £10,000 to Attitude Magazine’s Foundation for every goal Russia scores during its World Cup 2018 campaign.

Following Russia’s 3-1 win over Egypt on Tuesday night, Paddy Power has raised £80,000 in donations, as an unfancied Sbornaya has delivered for the bookmaker.

Commenting on the campaign, Amy Jones Paddy Power’s PR & UK Mischief Maker detailed; “Following the host’s first game against Saudi Arabia – where they netted five – it was announced that £10,000 of the money will fund 20 members of the LGBT+ community to become fully qualified referees.”

So, thank you to Denis Cheryshev (who has topped up the fund by £30,000 himself so far), Artem Dzyuba and Ahmed Fathi’s own goal last night for their contributions to the campaign…Just keep on scoring lads!”

After just two games, Russia have scored EIGHT goals, meaning we are donating £80,000 to LGBT+ causes. And we’re far from done yet! #RainbowRussians ?️‍? pic.twitter.com/mRv1x3kW76

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) June 19, 2018