Sky Bet Donates £1,000 per EFL Goal to British Heart Foundation

Transforming Goals into Donations

In a significant initiative coinciding with World Heart Day, Sky Bet has pledged to donate £1,000 to the British Heart Foundation (BHF) for every goal scored during this weekend’s English Football League (EFL) matches. With games like Tranmere Rovers vs Salford City and Plymouth Argyle vs Luton Town kicking off the campaign, it has the potential to raise up to £100,000 for the charity.

In addition to fundraising, Sky Bet and the BHF are encouraging supporters from all 72 EFL clubs to learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) through the BHF’s online tool, RevivR. This initiative empowers fans to acquire life-saving skills in just 15 minutes, giving them the confidence to act swiftly in emergencies.

The ‘Every Minute Matters’ Campaign

Since the partnership began in May, 90,000 people have already started CPR training via RevivR — equivalent to the number of spectators that fill Wembley Stadium. The £400,000 raised so far will fund community resuscitation activities, including training more individuals in CPR and defibrillation, as well as providing 80 additional community defibrillators across the UK.

Research by Sky Bet reveals that nearly half of football fans have been present when CPR was needed, yet 45% lack the confidence to perform it. Luton Town captain and ‘Every Minute Matters’ ambassador, Tom Lockyer, highlighted the importance of closing this confidence gap. He urged goal scorers across the EFL to contribute to the cause, emphasizing that each goal not only impacts the game but also supports life-saving work.

World Heart Day

World Heart Day, observed on September 29, draws attention to the fact that heart and circulatory diseases are the leading causes of death globally. This dedicated weekend seeks to raise awareness about heart health and the critical importance of emergency response skills like CPR.

Dr. Charmaine Griffiths, Chief Executive of the BHF, expressed her gratitude for the partnership, noting that the funds raised are making a real difference in life-saving work. She stressed the importance of placing defibrillators in communities and providing CPR and defibrillation training.

EFL Chief Executive Trevor Birch also endorsed the initiative, pointing out that every goal scored has the potential not only to change a match but also to save lives across the country. He emphasized the role of EFL clubs in supporting meaningful causes within their communities.

Raising Awareness

This weekend’s matches will prominently feature the campaign, with perimeter boards at EFL grounds encouraging fans to learn CPR. The awareness drive extends to matchday programs and club websites, supported by a broad TV and outdoor campaign from Sky Bet and the BHF.

Steve Birch, Chief Commercial Officer of Sky Bet, spoke about the ambitious goal of encouraging 270,000 people to learn CPR by May 2025. He celebrated reaching the 90,000 mark and expressed hope that this weekend’s activities would elevate awareness further with the backing of the EFL.

The Importance of Immediate Action During Cardiac Arrest

Statistics show that over 30,000 out-of-hospital cardiac arrests occur in the UK each year — at least five every 90 minutes. Every minute without CPR reduces the chance of survival by up to 10%, yet less than one in ten people survive, often due to bystanders lacking the skills or confidence to perform CPR.

Sky Bet’s initiative significantly contributes to heart health awareness and life-saving efforts. By turning every goal into a £1,000 donation to the BHF, the campaign highlights how football can play a powerful role in supporting vital community causes.