Luke Littler has proven that his newfound fame hasn’t caused him to lose sight of what’s important in life after confirming he’ll show support for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) during the 2024 Premier League Darts season. The teenage sensation got his campaign underway in Cardiff on Thursday, with a rematch against World Championship final opponent Luke Humphries which he won 6-2.
And as he will for the rest of the calendar, Littler was wearing the MNDA logo on his shirt against Humphries. Given his current worldwide profile, the gesture is likely to raise some much-needed publicity for the charity.
“Being a rugby league fan I’ve seen the amazing fundraising work done for the Motor Neurone Disease Association, particularly by Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield in recent years,” said Littler, via a PDC statement. “The MNDA are doing so much important work and when I found out that I had a space available to support a charity on my shirt I wanted to back them.”
Former Leeds Rhinos and Great Britain legend Burrow was diagnosed with Motor Neurone Disease in 2019, and has campaigned ever since to raise awareness of his condition. To support his friend, ex-team-mate Sinfield has raised £10million through a host of endurance-based charity fundraising challenges.
And the Leeds Rhinos responded to the news by praising Littler, an avid Warrington Wolves fan. “Well done Luke Littler,” the club wrote on X. “What a lovely gesture inspired by the support that Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield have given to the MND community.”
Rugby union players Doddie Weir and Ed Slater, along with footballer Stephen Darby, are other sporting figures who have led public fundraising campaigns since being diagnosed with MND. Former Scottish international Weir died in November 2022, aged 52, after announcing he had been diagnosed back in 2017.
Littler, an avid Warrington Wolves fan, has already been in the spotlight for the issue of logos on his clothing. At Ally Pally, he was forbidden from advertising tournament sponsors Paddy Power on his shirt because he’s still too young to be able to advertise betting companies.
But the 17-year-old’s pledge for the Premier League underlines how he’s remained grounded despite following up his efforts in December and January by winning the Bahrain Masters. And he’s expected to receive huge support from the Welsh crowd against Humphries despite his English roots.
Littler is also anything but daunted by the prospect of his debut on that stage, saying: “I can’t wait for the Premier League season to start and I’m excited for the weeks ahead.”
