Luke Littler has raised £51k for charity with run to World Darts Championship semis

has raised thousands of pounds for charity over the course of his run to the semi-finals.The teenage superstar will face Stephen Bunting in the last four, with the winner of that match going up against Michael van Gerwen or Chris Dobey in the final.Littler will be desperate to get his hands on the title, but he has already achieved something spectacular by raising a huge amount of money for charity.Tournament sponsors Paddy Power are donating £1,000 to Prostate Cancer UK for every 180 scored during the World Darts Championship. Littler has the most of any player with 51, meaning he is responsible for raising a total of £51,000.

That figure is likely to increase when he plays Bunting in the semi-finals, while another final appearance would provide even more opportunities to hit maximums.The player who throws the most 180s will also receive the Ballon d’Art trophy, a nod to the Ballon d’Or prize which is awarded to the best football player in each calendar year.Littler’s total of 51 puts him in the lead, with Callan Rydz in second place having thrown 43 maximum scores. Last year’s trophy was won by Luke Humphries, who hit 180 on 73 occasions including 23 in the final against Littler.It seems likely that Littler will go home with this year’s Ballon d’Art, but it remains to be seen if he will also be able to claim the Sid Waddell Trophy for the first time.He was in full control during his quarter-final victory over Nathan Aspinall, clocking an average of 101.54 and making 45 per cent of his doubles attempts.

In his post-match press conference, Littler said: “It feels amazing, the perfect start to 2025. It’s sinking in now. Two tournaments, two semi-finals and a step closer. The only thing in my head now is making that second final.”Overall it was a good performance. We all know Nathan never gives up but I pinged my doubles when it mattered tonight. From start to finish, that’s the best I’ve felt at this tournament and hopefully I’ll get the same feeling tomorrow night.”Quizzed on the possibility of renewing his rivalry with Van Gerwen in the final, Littler replied: “If that’s what everyone thinks, that’s fine, but anything can happen in the semi-finals of the World Championship.”Stephen and I both know how well we can play against each other, so it’s going to be about whoever turns up tomorrow night.”