Thanks a million! Paddy Power makes record darts donation with THE BIG 180

As Luke Humphries was crowned darting champion of the world, we celebrated an incredible £1 million windfall thanks to Paddy Power. 

Ahead of the World Darts Championship, we partnered with the Professional Darts Corporation (PDC) and tournament sponsors Paddy Power for THE BIG 180, with the bookmaker pledging to donate £1,000 for every 180 thrown by players.

And incredibly there were a record 914 maximums at this year’s tournament, meaning Paddy Power immediately wrote us a cheque for £914,000. It was already the biggest charity donation in darts history and the perfect end to a lifesaving campaign. Until it got even better when they rounded up that figure to £1 million. 

And on top of that, world champion Luke Humphries, who beat teen sensation Luke Littler in a final that captivated the nation, pledged to donate a portion of his winnings after his partner’s father was diagnosed with the disease. “I won’t say the figure, but I’ll donate from the prize money because it is very close to my heart,” he said shortly after raising the famous Sid Waddell Trophy. 

He was also crowned the first ever Ballon d’Art trophy winner, awarded for the most 180s in the tournament – and the most money raised. His 73 netted us an incredible £73,000 alone.   

But the success of THE BIG 180 went even further than Paddy Power’s record-breaking donation, with more than 100,000 people taking our online risk checker since the campaign started in late November. This alone could save thousands of lives. 

Our CEO, Laura Kerby, said: “It’s been a magical few weeks at the Paddy Power World Darts Championship and we were absolutely thrilled when Paddy Power agreed to round up the £914,000 to an incredible £1 million. 

“With every maximum thrown by both Lukes and the world’s top players; with every iconic shout of ‘180’ we have made a huge difference to men affected by this disease – and their loved ones too.” 

PDC chief executive, Matt Porter, added: “Our players were sensational in hitting a record number of 180s and they deserve huge credit for the way that they’ve supported Prostate Cancer UK too. 

“We’re already seeing THE BIG 180 having an impact on the number of men using the online risk checker in recent weeks and this is a campaign which will make a huge difference in so many ways.” 

All money raised throughout the Paddy Power World Darts Championship will fund lifesaving research to diagnose men sooner and improve the lives of those affected by the most common cancer in men.  

Check your risk in 30 seconds or share our risk checker with the men in your life. 

Take and share the risk checker