Virtual Grand National raises £2.6m for NHS

Betting companies in the UK will donate profits from the weekend’s Virtual Grand National to the National Health Service (NHS).

UK.- Betting companies in the UK will donate profits from the weekend’s Virtual Grand National to the National Health Service (NHS).

The Virtual Grand National, now in its fourth year, generated £2.6million which will be given to the NHS to help fight the Coronavirus outbreak.

Bookmakers including Bet365, Ladbrokes Coral, Sky Bet, William Hill, Betfred, Betway, Paddy Power Betfair, and the UK Tote Group – as well as technology provider Inspired Entertainment – will send profits to NHS Charities Together once winnings and duties have been paid.

Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) members agreed last week to use funds generated from the Virtual Grand National to support the health service.

BGC chief executive, Michael Dugher, said: “We are overwhelmed with the public support for the Virtual Grand National and the support shown for NHS Charities Together.

“When the nation was in much need of some light relief, millions joined in the fun in honour of one of Britain’s greatest sporting events and helped raise a fantastic amount for our brave heroes in the NHS.

“I am proud that so many BGC members, up and down the country, are supporting in so many different ways the national effort to combat Covid-19, including here by contributing all of their race profits to NHS Charities Together.

“NHS Charities Together thanked the BGC yesterday but I’d like to thank them for the amazing work that they do in support of the NHS all year round.”

The race was won by 18/1 shot Potters Corner and was watched by 4.8 million viewers at its peak, representing 30 per cent of the overall television audience.

“The country is going through what is little short of a nightmare at the moment, so it was heartwarming to see pictures on social media of so many people enjoying themselves watching the excellent ITV Racing and Carm Productions programme which had such impressive viewing figures,” Dugher continued.

“I’m sorry we couldn’t have the real Grand National to find out if Potters Corner would have won or whether it would have been a historic three in a row for Tiger Roll, but at this time of need the nation used the day to come together and back our NHS.”