BGC Grand National Charity Bet Raises £20,000 for UK Good Causes

_{Nigel Huddlestone MP (R) supporting the charity. (Image: BGC)}

The Betting and Gaming Council's annual Grand National Charity Bet has raised more than £20,000 for charities across the UK, with a record 66 parliamentarians taking part in this year's initiative.

The campaign, which sees leading betting operators donate race winnings to MPs' nominated charities, guaranteed every participating organisation a minimum of £250. This year's total of £20,025 brings the scheme's cumulative fundraising to more than £70,000 since it launched in 2022, making 2026 its biggest year to date.
The initiative has grown steadily since its first year, and the record MP turnout suggests it is becoming an established fixture in the parliamentary calendar. Charities receiving funds this year include Ryedale Specials Families, Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, St Richard's Hospice, and Dawley Town Hall CIC.

_{George Freeman MP (L). (Image: BGC)}

Record Field Backs the Winner

This year's Grand National was won by I Am Maximus, ridden by Paul Townend and trained by Willie Mullins, securing the horse's second victory at Aintree in three years. The favourite attracted backing from several participating MPs, including Shadow DCMS Secretary Nigel Huddleston, Defence Secretary John Healey, and Kevin Hollinrake, Greg Smith, and Mark Francois.

Other parliamentarians who took part included Minister for Border Security and Asylum Alex Norris, Shadow Exchequer Secretary James Wild, Deputy Chief Whip Sir Mark Tami, and former Culture Secretary Sir John Whittingdale.

_{Esther McVey MP (Ctr). (Image: BGC)}

Grainne Hurst, chief executive of the Betting and Gaming Council, said the campaign demonstrated the industry's capacity to generate community benefit alongside sporting engagement.

'The Grand National is one of the biggest moments in the sporting calendar, and this campaign is a great way of harnessing that excitement to deliver meaningful support for good causes,' she said.

Safer Gambling Visits Alongside Fundraising

As part of this year's campaign, MPs visited betting shops in their constituencies, meeting staff and observing safer gambling measures in place for customers. Shops taking part included Ladbrokes, Coral, William Hill, Betfred, and Paddy Power.

Hurst said the participation of frontline politicians in those visits added value beyond the fundraising element.

'I want to thank all those who took part, and our members for continuing to back this initiative and help ensure that every participating charity benefits,' she said.

With participation rising each year and the cumulative total now past £70,000, the BGC is expected to build on the initiative ahead of next year's race.