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Last week, the Betting and Gaming Council sponsored a reception at Parliament for MPs and peers.
The BGC and its members, who have supported the charity for many years, hosted the reception in Churchill Room with an invitation to all returning and new MPs as well as peers.
The guests were treated to a special presentation by Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson DBE. She is a 16 time Paralympic Games Medallist with 11 Gold Medals. Rowers Scott Durant MBE & Moe Sbihi MBE are both Gold Medalists from Rio 2016.
Around 40 MPs, peers, and ministers attended the reception. These included Secretary of State Jo Stevens, MP, Labour Party Chair Ellie Reeves, MP, and a number newly-elected MPs.
SportsAid is a vital support for the next generation Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Champions.
The BGC, and its members, have long been supporters of SportsAid. They are one of the charities that benefit from the BGC Britannia Stakes Charity Race at Royal Ascot. This race has raised more than PS3m since 2019 for a variety of charities.
Entain, which has donated almost PS500,000 since 2019, and bet365, who donated PS50,000 at the 50th Anniversary of the Lobby vs. MPs Football Match, sponsored by the BGC to raise funds for SportsAid, have both funded SportsAid.
Tim Lawler, MBE, Chief executive of SportsAid said: “It’s wonderful to have been able to spend a few moments with the new and returning Members of Parliament so soon after Election Day and so close to beginning the Paris Olympiad to bring SportsAid to light.
“The charity is a vital part of recognising the sporting talent of the future and supporting it. Being able to reflect upon that through the stories of three inspiring alumni was fantastic.
We would like to thank everyone at BGC, and all of its member organizations for their continued support of SportsAid. It is highly valued, particularly at this exciting time for British Sport.
Michael Dugher said, “It was fantastic that SportsAid sponsored the parliamentary reception ahead of a great summer of sports in Paris 2024.
“SportsAid is the difference. It not only provides crucial financial funding but also offers the pastoral support that young athletes need to represent their nation at an elite level.
We have supported SportsAid for many years and we were delighted to continue this support by sponsoring a reception.
“My thanks go also to Lord Dave Watts for hosting the event. It was an excellent opportunity for SportsAid’s staff to meet with new and returning Members of Parliament who were eager to hear more about SportsAid’s work, particularly as an Olympic Summer is just days away.
The celebration was held in the Churchill Room, Tuesday, 9th July, and hosted by Lord Dave Watts. He is the former Chairperson of the Parliamentary Labour Party.
