BT establishes new supporting charity

Customers of the new BT Sport services will be able to make a recurring monthly donation of £1, £3 or £5 to The Supporters Club via their BT bill. The money will be spent by Comic Relief on providing coaches, mentors and teachers for disadvantaged young people in the UK and abroad.

BT will match pound for pound the amount donated, up to £1 million, as well as donating another £500,000 through various initiatives. BT is also covering the running costs of the fund as well as creating TV programming which will be broadcast on BT Sport to show customers how their donations are being spent.

John Petter, managing director of BT Retail Consumer, says: “We believe that The Supporters Club is a great way to unite BT and sporting clubs and bodies around an important cause to help young, disadvantaged people.

“Sport can be a powerful force for good in society and we think that the launch of BT Sport gives us an opportunity to raise extra funds which will make a huge difference to the lives of disadvantaged young people and help them to reach their goals. We are thrilled that a charity with the credibility and track record of Comic Relief will be managing the fund.”

BT Sport customers will be able to set up their donation to The Supporters Club from June 22, either by calling BT or signing up online (www.thesupportersclub.org). The donation will then be added to their regular BT bill.