William Hill Donates £200k to Support Ukraine in the Aftermath of Eurovision Final

London, May 15, 2023 - In the wake of an exhilarating Eurovision Song Contest, prominent UK bookmaker William Hill has announced a generous donation of £200,000 to Support Ukraine.

William Hill had yet confirmed to donate 100% of its profits from the Eurovision market to the UK-based charity. The funds presented will help many Ukrainians who have been compelled to seek refuge in the UK and support their families who cannot leave Ukraine in search of safety. The aid will encompass essential food supplies, toys, and humanitarian assistance.

The Eurovision Grand finale captivated a live electric audience and a record-breaking average of 9.9 million TV viewers. Sweden's pop sensation Loreen made history by becoming the second person and the first woman to win Eurovision twice, mesmerizing audiences with her song 'Tattoo.' In a gripping finale, Loreen outshone Finland's entry, Cha Cha Cha by Käärijä. Israel's Noa Kirel, Italy's Marco Mengoni, and Norway's Alessandra Mele completed the Top 5, with all of them having odds of 40/1 or greater going into Saturday's final.

Lee Phelps, the spokesperson for William Hill, expressed pride in the company's £200,000 donation to the Ukrainian appeal, emphasizing the significant impact it will have on thousands of Ukrainians now residing in the UK and their families back home. Phelps stated,

Anyone who placed a bet on Eurovision this weekend has contributed to this cause, regardless of whether their bet slip was a winner. It has been more than a year since millions of Ukrainians had their lives turned upside down, and on the weekend when Eurovision should have been held in Kyiv, it is a stark reminder that the struggle continues. However, the relief efforts and the resilience demonstrated by a nation with a heart of steel persist. We are honored to offer financial support to those Ukrainians who need it most.

A spokesperson for Support Ukraine expressed huge gratitude for the UK support and its people and commended William Hill for their remarkable gesture of donating all profits from Eurovision betting to their cause. The spokesperson said, "We are deeply moved by this £200,000 donation, which will assist in providing necessities to those affected on or near the frontlines and in the de-occupied territories. This includes vital medical aid such as medicine and much-needed medical evacuation vehicles."

The Support Ukraine Coordination Hub, an expanding charity initiative based in London, has already played a crucial role in providing hundreds of meals to the growing refugee population of Ukrainians seeking shelter in London. They have also delivered meals and aid to families that choose to stay in Ukraine or cannot leave for personal reasons. In addition, the initiative extends its support through donations of food, toys, and other essential humanitarian supplies.

For more information on the Support Ukraine project and to offer assistance, please visit their Neighbourly page.