SportsAid

Betfair

Sport is at the heart of Betfair’s business and is a passion of its employees and customers. It is committed to supporting sport at all levels, for example through industry funding, and in creating sustainable relationships and partnerships. 

Betfair has a history of supporting a wide range of charitable causes and had previously had two ‘Charity of the Year’ partnerships with Racing Welfare (2005) and The Brooke (2006). At the end of 2006 it set about finding a new charity partner with a particular focus on sport. Following a pitch process, during which a number of charities were spoken to, SportsAid was chosen by the Charity Committee. It was also decided that a two-year partnership would be more successful in creating value. SportsAid had a small but passionate team and therefore Betfair wanted to make a more sustainable impact and it also fitted with Betfair’s aim to support British talent.

SportsAid set about creating an innovative partnership with Betfair working together to raise funds throughout 2007 and 2008. Betfair then matched what was raised each year up to £125,000, resulting in a half a million pound boost for the charity.

A successful working relationship has been created between SportsAid and Betfair, resulting in a commitment for the future. SportsAid will continue to play a role in Betfair’s Cash for Clubs programme (www.cash-4-clubs.com) ensuring the sustainability of the initiative to support community sports clubs around the country. The Sports Quiz has also proved so popular that Betfair has added it to its permanent list of events, thereby creating a legacy from the partnership.