Announcing Flutter UKI's Charity Partners 2026

Employees across Flutter’s UK and Irish region are aiming to break fundraising records after picking two leading children’s cancer charities as their Charities of the Year for 2026.  

UK charity Young Lives vs Cancer and Ireland’s Cancer Fund for Children, both dedicated to supporting children and young people with cancer and their families, were selected in a colleague vote across the Group’s UK and Irish operations.   

Colleagues employed by the leading sports betting and gaming operator raised more than £722,000 through a 12-month long programme of fundraising events in support of last year’s chosen charities, Pancreatic Cancer UK (£363,000) and the National Maternity Hospital Foundation in Dublin (€415,000).  

And this year they aim to raise critical funding to support families impacted by a devastating cancer diagnosis.  

Young Lives vs Cancer is a UK charity that provides tailored emotional, practical and financial support to children and young people with cancer and their families from the point of diagnosis, through treatment and beyond. Meanwhile Cancer Fund for Children provides emotional and therapeutic support who those impacted by such a devasting diagnosis.   

In total last year Flutter’s UK and Irish region contributed more than £8 million to good causes, through Charity of the Year fundraising but also industry-leading partnerships such as Paddy Power’s work with Prostate Cancer UK and the ‘Every Minute Matters’ campaign run by Sky Bet and the British Heart Foundation.  

“Our community strategy is rooted in a simple idea: to use the scale of our workforce and brands to support the communities we serve in ways that create real outcomes.    “With the right partnerships, our aim is to raise awareness, fund work that improves lives at a grassroots level, support life‑changing research and motivate individuals to take steps that could not only change but also save lives.    “I’m incredibly proud of what colleagues achieved over the past year — and we’re excited to raise the bar again in 2026.”

Young Lives vs Cancer was selected by Flutter colleagues in London and Leeds after being nominated by Claire Thacker, Payments Brand Lead with PokerStars. She canvassed colleagues following the harrowing loss of her child’s friend, Emma (6), who was supported by one of the charity’s ten Homes from Home across the UK, allowing her family to remain close by while she underwent treatment.   

Her mum, Nathalie Follen-Noto said: “This charity provided incredible support to Emma and our family throughout her illness, and they continue to do so.  

“It has touched us deeply to know that her life will be honoured in connection with these 12 months of fundraising by Claire’s colleagues, and their mission to profile the work of Young Lives vs Cancer.  

Emma was always looking for ways to help others. We truly believe that she would be very proud to know that these funds will bring support and comfort to many other families.”    

Cancer Fund for Children in Ireland hopes funds raised by Flutter colleagues will support the regional expansion of their services at three key hospitals (St James’s Hospital, Cork University Hospital and University Hospital Galway), follow-up services in the community, particularly for young adults - in addition to the development of their second dedicated short break centre for children living with cancer in Cong Co Mayo, due to open in the Spring of 2027.  

Phil Alexander, Cancer Fund for Children CEO, said: “Flutter’s belief in our mission will help us expand our services, open our second therapeutic short break center, and reach even more families with the emotional, therapeutic and practical support they need during some of the most difficult and uncertain times in their lives. It reflects what can be achieved when organisations unite around a shared vision: building a future where every family facing cancer feels supported, connected and cared for.”   

About Flutter  

Flutter operates some of the world’s most innovative and distinctive online sports betting and gaming brands, including Sky Betting & Gaming, Paddy Power, tombola, Betfair, FanDuel and PokerStars. The Group’s sustainability strategy, Do More, aims to reach 10 million people through our community efforts by the end of 2030.  

For more information visit: https://flutter.com/  

About Young Lives vs Cancer   

Young Lives vs Cancer is the charity that helps children and young people (0-25) and their families find the strength to face whatever cancer throws at them. The charity’s social workers offer specialist, empowering support, its Homes from Home offer families a free place to stay nearby to the child’s hospital and grants help families to navigate the costs of cancer.   

For more information visit www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk   

 About Cancer Fund for Children   

Cancer Fund for Children is an all-island organisation providing emotional, social and informal therapeutic support to children and families impacted by a cancer diagnosis.  Our mission is to empower, connect and strengthen children, young people and their families so they feel better equipped to cope with the emotional impact of cancer.   

We believe every child should have access to the right support at the right time, no matter where they live, and this commitment drives all aspects of our work.   

We provide direct, specialist support to families in every county across the island of Ireland, helping them build resilience, reduce isolation and find moments of rest and connection when they need it most.   

By walking alongside families throughout their cancer journey, we help ensure that children and young people feel supported, understood and better able to cope.  

For more information visit: https://cancerfundforchildren.com