The annual Flutter Charity Ball has raised over £282,000 to help fund potentially life-changing clinical trials for leading blood cancer charity, Cure Leukaemia.

In the run up to the huge event, Flutter, parent company for Sky Betting & Gaming, Betfair, Paddy Power & tombola raised over £75,000 – bringing the total amount raised for the charity to an extraordinary £357,000.

The money will go towards funding the recently launched ATICUS network, which costs £1 million per year to run and supports 15 centres or hospitals across the UK, including Leeds, Manchester and London.

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For the first time, children living with blood cancer across the nation will have access to potentially lifesaving, innovative treatments through this national clinical trial infrastructure.

Hundreds gathered at a huge event at the Royal Armouries at New Dock Hall in Leeds last night, hosted by ITV Racing presenters Ed Chamberlin and Oli Bell.

Ed Chamberlin said: “I look forward to hosting the Flutter Charity Ball for Cure Leukaemia every year, not least because it’s a fun night, but also because I had my own brush with cancer in the past.

“At the time, I found myself next to a children’s ward where I watched kids undergo treatment first hand. Knowing funds raised could ultimately accelerate access to less harmful treatments for children puts the importance of the entire night into perspective.”

ATICUS Network Ambassador George Lineker, son of well-known former England footballer and Cure Leukaemia patron Gary Lineker OBE, added: “I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia as a two-month-old baby. I still cannot imagine how my family must have felt being told their child had a 10-20% chance of survival. But I was one of the lucky ones. Funds raised for Cure Leukaemia could ultimately help change the fate of so many who might otherwise not be as fortunate.”

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James McLaughlin, CEO of Cure Leukaemia, added: “We are thrilled and deeply grateful for the incredible support shown at the Flutter Ball. The funds raised will make a profound impact on our mission to bring hope to the 250,000 people living with blood cancer in the UK. This generosity not only empowers groundbreaking research but also brings us closer to a future free from this devastating disease.”

To a backdrop of entertainment, including a darts competition against PDC World Darts tour professional Joe Cullen, guests dug deep after Jo and Jim Hawkridge put Flutter’s donation into perspective, sharing the story of their son Jude, who was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia and ran out of options for treatment via the NHS.

“As a family, we support Cure Leukaemia because we need more trials. We need to get the trials that are available for adults and children. Without these trials my son would no longer be here.”

Steve Birch, Chief Commercial Officer for Sky Betting & Gaming and tombola, said: “The charity ball is always our biggest fundraising event, and every year our colleagues and partners never disappoint as they come together to raise money for well-deserving causes.

“I’ve visited the Christie Research Centre in Manchester, which is one of 15 centres that Cure Leukaemia support, and I saw myself the importance and impact that the money Flutter has raised over the last year makes. We are truly grateful for the generosity of attendees who collectively helped us to raise a great amount for Cure Leukaemia so they can continue their work to find a cure for blood cancer.”

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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.