MERKUR Casino UK Pledges £100K to Support Families of Seriously Ill Children

_{Sarah Woods of Momentum with Mark Schertle of MERKUR. (Image: Owen Billcliffe Photography)}

MERKUR Casino UK has pledged £100,000 to Momentum Children’s Charity as part of a new three-year partnership aimed at supporting families with children facing cancer and other life-challenging conditions.

The charity operates across London, Surrey, and Sussex, providing emotional and practical support to families during treatment and recovery, both in hospital and at home. Momentum also offers specialist bereavement services when a child dies.

The funding will help expand programmes that give families a break from medical treatment and daily pressures, including days out on the charity’s riverboat and stays in respite cabins designed to provide rest and time together.

Momentum has grown significantly since it was founded more than two decades ago, working closely with hospitals and communities across the region. As demand for support rises, charities such as Momentum increasingly rely on partnerships with businesses to sustain and expand their services.

MERKUR announced the partnership at its annual company conference late last year.

Support for Families Facing Serious Illness

Momentum provides tailored assistance through family support workers who help parents and children cope with the emotional, practical, and financial pressures that often accompany serious illness.

The charity also operates Momentum Echoes, a bereavement support programme designed to help families navigate the loss of a child.

Sarah Woods, CEO of Momentum Children’s Charity, said the partnership will help the organisation meet growing demand for its services.

“We are delighted to be partnering with MERKUR Casino UK and are extremely grateful for their generous support,” Woods said. 

“This partnership will allow Momentum to continue providing vital emotional and practical help to families who have a child with cancer or a life-challenging condition.”

She added that the funding will expand the charity’s reach over the coming years.

“With the first donation already received, we can already see the difference this partnership is making,” Woods said.

MERKUR Expands Community Support Efforts

MERKUR Casino UK said the donation reflects a broader commitment to supporting the communities where it operates.

The company runs dozens of adult gaming centres and land based casinos across the UK and has increasingly focused on charitable partnerships and community fundraising initiatives.

Mark Schertle, chief operating officer of MERKUR Casino UK, said the charity’s work provides critical help to families during extremely difficult circumstances.

“At MERKUR, we strongly believe that giving back to the communities we serve is important, especially when it comes to supporting those who are facing heartbreaking challenges,” Schertle said.

He added that Momentum’s services, including counselling, creative therapies, and respite breaks, can have a lasting impact on families dealing with serious illness.

“We are glad that our partnership, and donations to follow, will help Momentum continue their hard work and we are looking forward as to what lies ahead,” Schertle said.