Key points:
- The event raised £117,000 to benefit the Motor Neurone Disease Association
- Over 450 attendees participated in the gala, including Evoke employees and partners
- Funds will aid MND care, research and advocacy efforts across the UK
Evoke, the operator of brands including William Hill, 888 and Mr Green, has raised £117,000 ($148,339) for the Motor Neurone Disease Association through its inaugural Charity Gala.
The event, held on 14 November at the Royal Armories Museum in Leeds, welcomed over 450 attendees, including employees, management, partners and celebrity ambassadors.
The funds will support the Motor Neurone Disease Association’s efforts to improve access to care, advance research and advocate for individuals affected by the condition.
The UK charity was chosen as the event’s beneficiary following a colleague-led review.
In the UK, more than 5,000 people are affected by MND annually. Leeds, where Evoke employs a significant number of staff, has been particularly impacted by the condition following the recent death of former Leeds Rhino player Rob Burrow.
Good to know: The disease holds personal significance for Evoke employee Leisa Byers, whose niece, Tamara, was diagnosed with MND at the age of 26. Tamara and her family worked with the charity to create a video, shown during the gala, to raise awareness about the disease and its impacts
Per Widerström, Evoke CEO, remarked: "Through our charity gala – a fantastic occasion that brought together our colleagues, partners and ambassadors – we wanted to play our part in raising vital funds for this charity while showcasing our commitment to support the causes that matter to our colleagues and the broader community.”
Ian D Gardner, Head of Philanthropy at the Motor Neurone Disease Association, said: ‘’We are extremely grateful to evoke and everyone who attended the inaugural Evoke the Stars event. Thanks to your generosity, we raised £117,000 - making it one of the most successful corporate fundraising evenings we've ever had.”
The gala follows Evoke’s acquisition of Winner.ro earlier this year to solidify its presence in key markets, including Romania.
