The Betfred World Championship gets underway at the Crucible today and title sponsor Betfred will be donating £100 to Jessie May Children’s Hospice at Home for every century break made during the 17 days of this year’s tournament.

And if the century tally reaches 80, the donation will be rounded up to massive £25,000. Last year there were 84 centuries so it is hoped that the 80 barriers will be smashed again.

The Betfred World Championship runs from April 20 to May 6 at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield with 32 of the world’s best players battling for the title. Defending champion Mark Williams, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, Mark Selby, John Higgins and Neil Robertson are among the top stars in the field.

Betfred boss Fred Done said: “We can’t wait for the action to get underway, this is the greatest snooker show in the world. And we are thrilled to be donating once again to a fantastic cause. It’s over to the players now to fire in the centuries. I would love to get to 80 and make the £25,000 donation which I know will make a huge difference to the families cared for by Jessie May.”

Jessie May Children’s Hospice at Home, based in Bristol, is World Snooker’s official charity partner. Jessie May provides a hospice at home service for terminally ill children, offering care to families in the Bristol area.

Source: World Snooker