World Championship sponsor Betfred will once again donate £200 for every century break made during the tournament to WST’s official charity Jessie May Children’s Hospice at Home.

The event at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield runs starts on Saturday and runs for 17 days, featuring the best players on the planet.

Jessie May Children’s Hospice at Home, based in Bristol, is WST’s official charity partner. They provide a hospice at home service for terminally ill children, offering care to families in the South West area.

If the total number of centuries reaches 80, then Betfred will round up the donation to £25,000.

WST Chairman Barry Hearn OBE said: “This is a highly significant donation for Jessie May especially given the fact that their fund-raising opportunities have been slashed dramatically over the past year. They rely on the generosity of private donations in order to continue the remarkable work they do for children and their families. Betfred have pledged a vast amount to our charities over the years and I am so thrilled to see this continue.”

Lindsey Horton, Corporate Partnerships Officer for Jessie May, said: “We’re not sure how to express our thanks to Betfred for their generosity. This has been the strangest of years but we have the most incredible people supporting our Nurses and the children on our caseload. “Thank you” – two little words that on their own seem insignificant but they carry the love and best wishes of everyone at Jessie May. Bring on the centuries.”

Fred Done, Boss of Betfred, added: “I am delighted to make this donation again because I know how much the funding means to Jessie May which is a marvellous charity. I can’t wait for the action to begin at the Crucible, it is 17 days of one of the world’s greatest sporting events. Over to the players to make as many centuries as possible.”

For more information about Jessie May visit www.jessiemay.org.uk