Evoke plc, a global leader in the betting and gaming industry, has successfully raised an impressive £153,907 for the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) Association. The funds were collected at the company's second annual Charity Gala, held at the prestigious Royal Armories Museum in Leeds.
This year's event, a sophisticated black-tie affair, built upon the success of the inaugural gala, attracting more than 500 guests for an evening dedicated to entertainment, dining, and fundraising. The total raised this year surpassed the previous year's amount, further cementing evoke's status as the highest-ever corporate fundraiser in the MND Association's history.
A Night of Stars and Solidarity
The gala was a star-studded occasion, drawing employees from evoke's global offices, key business partners, and a host of celebrity supporters. Ambassadors from the company's well-known brands, including 888 and William Hill, were in attendance. The guest list featured sporting legends such as Sir AP McCoy, Barry Geraghty, Leonna Mayor, Sally Gunnell, Barrie McDermott, and Billy Foster.
Beyond the single night's success, the gala also served as the platform for a major announcement: evoke confirmed a two-year extension of its partnership with the MND Association. Together, they have set an ambitious new combined fundraising target of more than £1,000,000.
A Partnership Forged by Personal Connection
The collaboration between evoke and the MND Association is deeply personal. It was established in 2024 following an internal, colleague-led review of potential charity partners. The association was chosen due to its close connection with evoke colleague and regional operations manager, Leisa Byers, whose niece, Tamara, was diagnosed with the devastating disease at just 26 years of age.
This cause resonates strongly within the UK, particularly in Leeds where evoke is a major employer. The recent passing of former Leeds Rhinos player Rob Burrow from MND brought renewed national attention to the condition's devastating impact. Across the country, more than 5,000 people receive an MND diagnosis each year, with six people diagnosed every single day.
The funds raised will directly support the MND Association's critical work, which includes:
- Improving access to care for those living with MND.
- Funding vital research into treatments and a potential cure.
- Campaigning on behalf of patients and their families.
Leadership Commitment to a Vital Cause
Per Widerstrom, CEO of evoke, expressed his pride in the ongoing partnership, stating: "Extending our partnership for a further two years and setting a £1 million fundraising target marks an important next step in our commitment to supporting the life-changing research, care and support the MND Association provides." He added that the gala brought together colleagues and partners for another fantastic evening in support of a crucial cause.
Tanya Curry, chief executive of the MND Association, echoed this sentiment, saying: "We are incredibly grateful to everyone at evoke... This money – and our partnership with evoke – really matters. It means we can be here for people with MND, to give them the support they need while funding vital research taking us closer to treatments and a cure."
The record-breaking gala follows a year of fundraising activities for the partnership, including a joint Charity Race Day at Ripon Racecourse, demonstrating evoke's sustained and growing commitment to fighting Motor Neurone Disease.
