Dear Wigan Athletic Supporters’ Club,

I’m writing to you as part of the Big Step, an advocacy project formed by people that have been harmed by gambling. We are part of Gambling with Lives, a charity set up by bereaved parents who have lost their children to suicide because of their gambling addiction. 

Together, we are campaigning for an end to harmful gambling advertising and sponsorship in football. Our petition has recently been signed by Gary Lineker and Peter Shilton. 

You may have seen this BBC Sport article last week, featuring an open letter from us to 11 football clubs regarding direct gambling promotion on social media. We’re reaching out to you in the hope you will use your platform as a supporters’ club to help us protect children and those at risk of gambling addiction. 

Normally, we organise group walking events to football clubs with gambling sponsorship. This year, due to the pandemic, we’ll be holding a remote walking event in March. We’re aiming to collectively walk 1,137 miles, but we need as much help as we can get!

You’ll find more details attached. We’d really grateful if you could join in or support us by helping us reach more people by sharing our campaign, either publicly or with your members, and signing/ sharing our petition. 

Thank you in advance.