SBC News Voice of the Sports Betting Industry
Betfred has made a bumper £30,000 donation to the Macmillan Cancer Support following its annual charity activity at the Betfred World Matchplay and Women’s World Matchplay.
The operator – which is title sponsor of the darts competition at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens – held the initiative for the second successive year.
Betfred pledged a donation of £50 per 180 hit, alongside £1 per point donated as players and visiting celebrities took part in a Nine-Dart Charity Challenge.
The challenge saw £9,793 raised – with the participating players including eventual World Matchplay finalists Aspinall and Jonny Clayton, respective reigning champions Michael van Gerwen and Fallon Sherrock and celebrities including former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson and rugby league star Kris Radlinski.
Betfred then increased the total donation to Macmillan Cancer Support to £30,000 following the conclusion of this year’s events on Sunday night.
Specifically, a total of 315 180s were hit during the event and a further nine were landed in the Women’s World Matchplay, led by Nathan Aspinall’s individual total of 44.
Betfred Owner, Fred Done, said: “Sponsoring these events each year is always a highlight for us at Betfred but we’re also delighted to be able to support great charities such as Macmillan Cancer Support.
“The players have been fantastic throughout both the World Matchplay and Women’s World Matchplay, both through the quality and entertainment on stage and their support for our charity activity.
“The money raised for Macmillan Cancer Support will be invaluable for such an important charity.”
Aspinall, who beat Jonny Clayton 18-6 in the final, added: “It’s great that Betfred are making such a large donation to Macmillan Cancer Support.
“They’re a wonderful charity who do so much good work, and it’s an honour to have been able to help raise such a brilliant sum of money for them.”
The Salford-founded bookmaker has previously raised funds for Parkinson’s UK and The Stroke Association since taking over as the title sponsor for the World Matchplay in 2019.
