Flutter’s Inaugural Charity Ball Raises Over €270,000 for BUMBLEance

This substantial donation is equivalent to the cost of two ambulances for the charity and will support its growth strategy. Flutter UKI’s CEO, Ian Brown, also announced a generous €125,000 donation from Flutter.

Supporting Ireland’s Youngest Patients

BUMBLEance is a non-profit organization that offers safe and comfortable medical transport for Ireland’s youngest patients, bridging the gap between home and hospital.

These specially designed ambulances aim to alleviate financial burdens on families and provide a stress-free environment for children during challenging journeys. They are equipped with amenities such as TVs, a PlayStation, iPad Air, music, DVDs, and books.

The event, hosted at Dublin’s Mansion House in The Round Room, was attended by over 400 guests. Irish stand-up comedian Deirdre O’Kane and Paddy Power himself presided over the event. The evening featured heartwarming stories from parents about the positive impact of BUMBLEance and the charity’s goal to increase its annual trips beyond the current 2,000, supported by their fleet of 14 ambulances.

The Charity Ball included various fundraising activities, including raffles and a silent auction. Attendees enjoyed entertainment provided by magicians and witnessed the Dodder Dash race between nine mascots. Notable speeches were delivered by the BUMBLEance team, Ian Brown, and Flutter’s CLO and Group Commercial Director, Pádraig Ó Ríordáin.

Valuable Prizes and Donations

The event featured a range of prizes, including Rugby World Cup tickets to Ireland vs. Scotland in France, signed jerseys from Max Verstappen, Ronaldo, and Rivaldo, as well as football boots signed by Neymar Jr.

The Charity Ball is part of Flutter’s global commitment to “Do More” for its communities as outlined in its Positive Impact Plan. The goal of the “Do More” initiative is to enhance the lives of 10 million people by 2030, leveraging Flutter’s scale and the collective dedication of its employees. Flutter’s next Charity Ball is scheduled to take place in Leeds on November 22nd.

Anna Earley, Corporate Partnership Manager at BUMBLEance, expressed her gratitude for Flutter’s donation, stating “Flutter’s Charity Ball was such a unique event for us at BUMBLEance and we received our largest donation in one day from Flutter Entertainment. The whole team were in shock at the success of the event – we can now concentrate on our progressive and transformative plans for reaching even more children across the Island of Ireland.

“In line with our current strategy, this donation can support driving awareness of BUMBLEance, benefitting our next moves to set-up satellite services regionally across Ireland, expanding into Northern Ireland where one in four children live in poverty and struggle to reach their appointments, and review our fleet of ambulances. This event has fast tracked our efforts to grow and to ensure every child has access to their healthcare treatment. What an amazing gift from the team at Flutter.”

Pádraig Ó Ríordáin, CLO and Group Commercial Director at Flutter, also praised the success of the Charity Ball and the collective generosity, stating “Last week’s Charity Ball held in Dublin in aid of BUMBLEance was a fantastic success. It was a pleasure to take part in fundraising for this wonderful charity which provides an essential service for young hospital patients in Ireland.

“We are grateful for the generosity of attendees and donors who collectively helped us to more than double our original fundraising target. The success of this event is testament to the positive impact Flutter can have on its communities and I am looking forward to seeing more of these events take place under the banner of the Do More pillar of our Positive Impact Plan.”