UK-based charity to receive 100% of UK bookmaker’s profits from this weekend’s Eurovision market, to help displaced Ukrainians and their families
Following another gripping Eurovision Song Contest, UK bookmaker William Hill has confirmed it will be donating £200k to charity Support Ukraine.
William Hill earlier pledged to donate 100% of profits made on the Eurovision market to the UK-based charity. These funds would provide essential aid to a substantial number of Ukrainians forced to flee to the UK, as well as provide support for their families who are unable to leave the country to seek safety. This aid will include essential food supplies, as well as toys, and humanitarian aid.
An electric live crowd and a record-breaking average 9.9m TV viewers witnessed Sweden pop sensation Loreen become just the second person, and first female ever, to win Eurovision twice with her song ‘Tattoo’ – in the process, pipping Finland’s entry Cha Cha Cha by Käärijä in a tense finale. Israel’s Noa Kirel, Italy’s Marco Mengoni and Norway’s Alessandra Mele completed the Top 5, all of whom were available at odds of 40/1 or greater going into Saturday’s final.
William Hill spokesperson, Lee Phelps, said: "We’re proud to be able to donate £200k to the Ukrainian appeal, giving much-needed food, toys and humanitarian aid to the thousands of Ukrainians now based in the UK, as well as for their families back in Ukraine. Anyone that placed a bet this weekend on the Eurovision has helped the cause, regardless of if their bet slip was a winner."
"It has been over a year since millions of Ukrainians had their worlds turned upside down, and on the weekend of a Eurovision that should be being held in Kyiv, it is a stark reminder that the fight is ever-present – but so too are the relief efforts, and the resilience shown by a nation with a heart of steel. We are proud to be able to offer financial support to those Ukrainians who need it most."
A spokesperson for Support Ukraine said: "We are immensely grateful for all the support Ukrainians have received from the UK and British people, and for their grand offer to host Eurovision on behalf of Ukraine. We are especially thankful to William Hill for their fantastic gesture to donate all profits from betting on the event to our cause. We are deeply touched by this donation of £200k."
"The money will help provide necessities to those effected on or near to the front line and de-occupied territories, including medical aid such as medicine and much needed medical evacuation vehicles.”
A growing charity initiative based in London, the Support Ukraine Coordination Hub has already assisted in providing hundreds of meals to an increasing population of Ukrainians seeking refuge in London, as well as delivered meals/aid to families that have remained or are unable to leave Ukraine. Additional aid includes the donations of food, toys and other humanitarian supplies.
For more information on the Support Ukraine project, click here to visit their Neighbourly page.
