Flutter hosted its first Charity Ball in Dublin last week and smashed its target, raising over €270,000 for BUMBLEance, the children’s Ambulance Service of Ireland, more than equivalent to the cost of two ambulances for the charity. The funds raised will support the charity’s growth strategy and, as announced by Ian Brown, CEO at Flutter UKI, included a donation of €125k from Flutter.

A first of its kind service, BUMBLEance is a non-profit organisation that provides safe and comfortable medical transport for Ireland’s youngest patients between home and hospital. The ambulances are designed to reduce financial hardship on families and are kitted out with TVs, a PlayStation, iPad Air, music, DVDs and books to reduce stress for children during difficult journeys.

Guests at the event held in The Round Room at Dublin’s Mansion House heard heartfelt stories from parents about the difference the charity has made as well as details about how BUMBLEance would like to run more than the present 2000 trips per year from the current fleet of 14 ambulances.

Hosted by Irish stand-up comedian, Deidre O’Kane, and Paddy Power himself, with over 400 in attendance, the event was a smash hit – including fundraising through a raffle and silent auction, magicians, and The Dodder Dash race between nine mascots. Attendees also heard speeches from the team at BUMBLEance, Ian Brown and Flutter CLO and Group Commercial Director, Pádraig Ó Ríordáin.

Prizes that were up for grabs included Rugby World Cup tickets to Ireland vs. Scotland in France, a signed jersey from Max Verstappen, Ronaldo and Rivaldo signed jerseys, and football boots signed by Neymar Jr.

The Charity Ball forms part of Flutter’s larger global pledge to Do More for its communities as part of its worldwide sustainability strategy, the Positive Impact Plan. The goal of Do More is to improve the lives of 10 million people by 2030, which is made possible by Flutter’s scale and the collective passion of its colleagues. Flutter’s next Charity Ball is due to be held in Leeds on November 22.

Anna Earley, Corporate Partnership Manager at BUMBLEance, said: “Flutter’s Charity Ball was such a unique event for us at BUMBLEance and we received our largest donation in one day from Flutter Entertainment. The whole team were in shock at the success of the event – we can now concentrate on our progressive and transformative plans for reaching even more children across the Island of Ireland.

“In line with our current strategy, this donation can support driving awareness of BUMBLEance, benefitting our next moves to set-up satellite services regionally across Ireland, expanding into Northern Ireland where one in four children live in poverty and struggle to reach their appointments, and review our fleet of ambulances. This event has fast tracked our efforts to grow and to ensure every child has access to their healthcare treatment. What an amazing gift from the team at Flutter.”

Pádraig Ó Ríordáin, CLO and Group Commercial Director at Flutter, said: “Last week’s Charity Ball held in Dublin in aid of BUMBLEance was a fantastic success. It was a pleasure to take part in fundraising for this wonderful charity which provides an essential service for young hospital patients in Ireland.

“We are grateful for the generosity of attendees and donors who collectively helped us to more than double our original fundraising target. The success of this event is testament to the positive impact Flutter can have on its communities and I am looking forward to seeing more of these events take place under the banner of the Do More pillar of our Positive Impact Plan.”