MERKUR Casino has donated a total of £3,225 to Bristol-based charity Ripples of Compassion through its MERKUR Community programme, providing additional funding to support families affected by childhood cancer and bereavement.
The contribution includes a recent £1,200 donation added to a previous £2,025 contribution made in 2025. According to the organisations involved, the funding will help Ripples of Compassion continue delivering services for parents, carers and families coping with the impact of childhood cancer, life-limiting conditions and the loss of a child.
Ripples of Compassion was founded in 2018 by Fiona Corless in memory of her daughter Ripley Olive Corless, who died from Acute Myeloid Leukaemia at the age of two. The charity provides social, emotional and mental health support for families, as well as practical assistance through wellbeing resources and community-based initiatives.
The latest donation will support a range of services delivered by the charity, including bereavement therapy, self-care resources and support materials designed for families experiencing grief. The funding will also contribute to the development of wellbeing tools such as relaxation resources and comfort items for families navigating bereavement.
Ripples of Compassion provides free services to hospitals, hospices and partner charities across the United Kingdom. Its programmes include bereavement counselling, meal support and care packages intended to assist families during and after a child’s cancer treatment journey.
MERKUR Casino operates gaming venues across the UK and participates in community engagement initiatives through the MERKUR Community programme. The initiative is funded by the company and supported by voluntary customer donations collected at venues nationwide. Since its launch, the programme has distributed more than £323,000 to approximately 150 community groups and charitable organisations across the country.
Charitable initiatives linked to gaming and igaming companies have become a regular feature of corporate responsibility programmes across the sector. The donation to Ripples of Compassion forms part of MERKUR Casino’s wider efforts to support community organisations while raising awareness of issues affecting families impacted by serious childhood illness.
Fiona Corless, founder and chair of Ripples of Compassion, said: “We are so grateful for the additional donation made by MERKUR. Their continued support means that we not only can meet the growing needs of those families and children that are facing the hardest moments of their lives, but also, we can strengthen our mission. The support from MERKUR does not just provide resources, it gives those affected the space to feel seen, heal, and ultimately know that they are not alone. Every box, every toy, and every therapy session are critical to providing a little glimmer of light to families during their darkest of times. MERKUR’s extra funding will ensure that we can continue to make 2026 a year of hope and healing.”
Mark Schertle, Chief Operations Officer at MERKUR, said: “At MERKUR, we are committed to giving back to the communities we serve, particularly by supporting those facing some of life’s most difficult moments.
“Ripples of Compassion offers an essential service to families experiencing unimaginable grief and loss, providing both emotional and practical guidance when it is needed most. Their work delivers genuine, meaningful support that truly impacts people’s lives, and we are proud that our additional donation will help them maintain their resources and mission. Through the MERKUR Community, we strive to build lasting partnerships with organisations like Ripples of Compassion, whose dedication truly makes a real difference.”
