Luke Littler leads the way to raise thousands for prostate cancer with Paddy Power to donate record amount for research

LUKE Littler is leading the way to raise thousands of pounds for prostate cancer – as Paddy Power donates a record amount.

The darts sensation, 16, faces off against Luke Humphries in the PDC world championship final at Ally Pally tonight.

PALuke Littler reacts after victory over Rob Cross on Tuesday night[/caption]

GettyThe teenager will face Luke Humphries in the PDC final tonight[/caption]

Luke is already the youngest ever player to reach the final two.

But on top of their achievements at the oche throughout the tournament, along with his competitors, the wonderkid has been helping to raise thousands for charity.

Prior to the tournament, Paddy Power pledged to donate £1,000 to Prostate Cancer UK for every 180 thrown by a player.

The record for the highest number of maximums looks set to be passed during the final tonight – bringing the total beyond a staggering £900,000.

Ahead of the final, 878 maximums have been thrown, while the current record stands at 901.

Luke is level-pegging with Humphries going into the final, with the pair accounting for £100,000 in funds raised for the charity.

The finalists will also tonight be competing for the Ballon d’Art trophy, a specially commissioned gong handed to the player who scores the most 180s and ultimately raises the most money for charity.

It comes as Humphries revealed this week he girlfriend’s dad is currently undergoing treatment for prostate cancer.

He said: “I really want to pick up that Ballon d’Art trophy. It would be very, very special to me and I really want to give it to my father-in-law who has gone through the process of getting checked out and finding out that he has got it.

“It was early stage so it can be managed and monitored. He caught it early and that’s testament to the fact that checking your risk does matter. He did and it might have saved his life,” he explained.

“If I do win it, it will go straight to him, because what he’s gone through is going to be much harder than what I’m going to go through. I’m just playing in a tournament. It’s just a game.

“Life is more important and I’d love to win it for him.”

“A couple of months later and who knows, it could have progressed and got worse but he’s caught it in the early stages. He’s just got to be monitored now but it’s a huge relief to us all as a family.”

The ultimate aim of the fundraising is to drive men towards Prostate Cancer UK’s 30-second online risk checker tool.

It also seeks to raise awareness that one in eight men are diagnosed with the disease which can be curable if caught early.

Prostate Cancer UK Chief Executive Laura Kerby said: “It’s all about knowing the numbers when playing darts, but not enough people are aware of the harsh statistics about prostate cancer.

“One in eight men will be affected by this disease, and that’s one statistic that brings home why this campaign has been so important.

“The money raised will fund lifesaving research to diagnose men sooner and improve the lives of men affected by prostate cancer.

“A massive thanks to Paddy Power for powering this campaign, for the PDC and of course each and every one of the prolific players for peppering the treble 20 bed.”

It takes 30 seconds to answer three questions to check your prostate cancer risk. Do it now by clicking on the following link:  prostatecanceruk.org/180-risk

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