Sir Chris Hoy handed special World Darts Championship invite as tragic star sends inspirational message
Sir Chris Hoy is set for an emotional stage appearance at the Paddy Power World Darts Championship.
The Scottish icon has been invited by the tournament sponsors to hand out an award on Finals night. Sir Chris is due at the Alexandra Palace to give out the Ballon d’Art trophy which Paddy Power are awarding to the player who has the most 180s through the duration of the event.
The 48-year-old, who announced two months ago that his cancer is terminal, is scheduled to do the honours on Friday, January 3. Hoy, who won six Olympic gold medals, has given his support to The BIGGER 180, the charity partnership with Prostate Cancer UK at the Championship.
READ MORE: The 'huge' Evan Ferguson to Celtic transfer benefit that comes with a career health warning
The BIGGER 180 sees £1,000 donated by Paddy Power to Prostate Cancer UK for every 180 achieved at the World Darts Championship, while a £180,000 bonus for every nine-darter will be split equally between the charity, the player and a lucky fan attending the event.
Funds raised through The BIGGER 180 will be used to support Prostate Cancer UK’s ground-breaking TRANSFORM trial, aimed to find ways to diagnose prostate cancer earlier.
Hoy’s involvement in the BIGGER 180 campaign is to try to raise awareness of the 30-second online risk checker with the hope that 180,000 men will have taken action before the close of the Championship.
As the campaign launched, he said: “This isn’t about medals or records. It’s about saving lives.. If sharing my story gets just one person to check their risk or book a screening, then it’s all been worth it.
“I didn’t have any symptoms until it was too late. By the time I felt pain, it wasn’t in my prostate anymore. It was secondary cancer in my bones. If I’d thought to check earlier, maybe I’d have caught it in time. That’s why this campaign is so important, so others don’t end up in the same situation.
“Sport is where men connect, laugh, and bond. It’s also the perfect place to deliver an important message: Don’t wait, act now. If we can get blokes talking about their health at Ally Pally, between pints and 180s, then we’ve already won.
“By the time my kids are grown, I want prostate cancer to have a completely different story. What we do now isn’t just for us. It’s for the next generation. Together, we’re paving the way for a brighter future.
“The risk checker is quick, easy, and could save your life. The PSA test isn’t perfect, and that’s one of the reasons doctors often wait until you’re 50 to recommend it. The TRANSFORM Trial could completely change that. It’s exciting to be part of something so impactful.
“Paddy Power’s always been about grabbing attention, and this time, it’s for something life-changing. They’re using their platform not just to entertain but to save lives and that’s something I’m proud to be part of.”
Paddy Power stated: “Let’s face it, men are rubbish at talking about their health. But if we can get them thinking about it while they’re enjoying the darts, maybe having a laugh with their mates, that’s a win. This isn’t just about awareness. It’s about action.”
