The Big 180 Darts Campaign Raises Funds For Prostate Cancer UK
Paddy Power and Prostate Cancer UK are teaming up for a new fundraising campaign. Having raised £1 million with The Big 180 last year, the campaign is back for the upcoming World Darts Championship at Alexandra Palace in London.
£180k For A 9-Dart Finish
Relaunched as The Bigger 180 for 2024’s event, Paddy Power has confirmed that it will be donating a massive £180,000 if there is a nine-dart finish in the event.
That amount will be split between Prostate Cancer UK, the player who throws the nine-dart leg and one lucky fan who is in attendance at London’s Alexandra Palace venue on the day.
Paddy Power donated £1 million to Prostate Cancer UK as part of The Big 180 campaign a year ago but is stepping up its fundraising efforts.
Every 180 that is recorded during the tournament will also see Paddy Power hand over £1,000.
With players racking up 180s at a rapid rate at the World Darts Championship last year – they recorded more than 900 during the competition – Paddy Power rounded up its donation to £1m.
Paddy Power is also the headline sponsor of the World Darts Championship tournament.
Raising Awareness
Rob Cross, the 2018 world champion, explained that the idea behind The Bigger 180 campaign is to raise awareness of prostate cancer, which affects one in eight men. He said: “People love the darts – everybody goes mad for it. And by having this campaign, a lot more people will become aware of prostate cancer. People getting checked and understanding their risk of the disease is so important. I’m proud to support it.”
Chief executive of Prostate Cancer UK, Laura Kerby, said the charity is “absolutely delighted” to be teaming up with Paddy Power again at the World Darts Championship. She said:
Last year’s campaign was a staggering success – raising an incredible £1 million, getting record numbers checking their risk, and making a huge impact for men and their loved ones. – Laura Kerby
Kerby added that Prostate Cancer UK hopes that funds raised by Paddy Power can contribute to a future where all men are invited for regular, accurate tests to catch any cancers early.
Catch It To Cure It
The 2023 champion Michael Smith is also backing The Bigger 180 campaign. He said:
Prostate cancer has never been on my radar. But hearing it affects 1 in 8 men is a shocking statistic. Men need to be more aware of their risk – and I include myself in that. If it’s caught early, it’s curable. – Michael Smith
Last year’s World Darts Championship captured the attention of millions of UK sports fans and this year’s event gets under way on December 15.
Luke Humphries, who was the tournament’s third seed, won his first World Championship title, by beating teenage debutant Luke Littler 7–4 in the final.
Littler has continued to build his reputation in the past year and could face Fallon Sherrock in his first match of the upcoming tournament, with a possible Humphries rematch in the semi-finals.
