In the early days of lockdown 2020 I spoke with a couple of small UK charities and was made aware of how their forthcoming fundraising events had to be cancelled… and they needed the funds!

This made me think of how I might be able to help. I had a number of good contacts in the sporting world, so I asked them if they might each give me a sporting prize to help the charities. They all said 'yes' and so I created Sporting Chance Prize Draw. We launched our first annual Prize Draw in March 2021.

My first thought was that I wanted all (100%) of the money raised to go to the charities. This would be the precept of this social enterprise going forward. Our administration costs will always be paid for by private individual contributions or, as we grow, through corporate sponsorship.

The second thought I had was that the Prize Draw should be affordable. So, I focused on delivering a £10 message. For just £10, you could enter one of our Prize Draws and maybe win a sporting prize. And, even if you didn't win a prize, then at least you knew that every penny (100%) of your £10 was going to a UK charity of your choice.

Now, with £225,000 raised to date, we are becoming an established platform – and we know our fundraising model works.

In 2025, for the first time, we will run three Prize Draws in March, June and October. Each Prize Draw will be open for entries for two weeks.

The wider context is that the UK cost of living crisis continues to create huge problems for the small charity sector. The Charity Commission reports that over 4,000 charities close their doors – for good – every year.

When I created Sporting Chance Prize Draw, it was as a ‘response’ to some of the challenges faced by the sector and in particular by small charities.

In 2025, 30 such organisations will use our platform so they can raise vital funds for their causes. Only with Prize Draw entries, though, can they be successful. So, do save the dates and enter this March, June and October – there are some terrific prizes to win.

Simon Jacot, Founder