Paddy Power donates £1m to Prostate Cancer UK via BIGGER 180 drive
Bookmaker reveals seven-figure donation for second year in a row as campaign sees more than 140,000 men check cancer risk online
Paddy Power has donated more than £1m to Prostate Cancer UK as part of its BIGGER 180 charity campaign through its sponsorship of the PDC World Darts Championship.
The Flutter-owned operator pledged to donate £1,000 to the charity for every 180 thrown during the tournament, with 907 maximums recorded at Alexendra Palace after 16 days of tungsten action.
Additionally, Paddy Power added a further £60,000 to the pot for the charity for every nine-darter thrown. Christian Kist and Damon Heta both achieved the feat, meaning a total of £1,027,000 was raised.
Kist and Heta each secured a £60,000 bonus from the bookmaker, while two fans selected at random in the crowd were also given the same five-figure sum on each occasion.
Prostate Cancer UK said over the course of the campaign, 143,000 men have visited the charity’s website to check their risk via a 30-second online assessment.
The charity added the £1m donation would be used to fund a new screening trial, Transform, which was launched in May 2024 to find the best way to identify prostate cancer as early as possible.
Paddy Power named Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy as an ambassador for the BIGGER 180 drive. The cyclist has been given a terminal cancer diagnosis.
The six-time gold medallist handed Luke Littler the Sid Waddell trophy after the 17-year-old beat Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in the final on 3 January.
Sir Chris said: “The huge sum being donated will make a big difference to the lives of thousands of men.
“It’s a huge step forward and we’re now one big step closer to making a long-lasting and meaningful change to men’s health.
“The Transform trial aims to find the best way to test men for prostate cancer, so we can be sure which is the most effective method for a nationwide screening programme that could save thousands of lives every year.
“This massive cash injection can have an impact on men’s lives for years to come.”
Chiara De Biase, Prostate Cancer UK director of health services, equity and improvement, added: “Every 180 thrown, every cheer from fans and every pound raised has brought us closer to a future where all men can be screened for prostate cancer.
“With £1,027,000 raised and thousands of men taking our online risk checker, this campaign has delivered a remarkable impact.”
Paddy Power also donated more than £1m to the charity as part of its 2024 title sponsorship after 914 maximums were thrown last year.