GwL bereaved families win SMK David and Goliath award

The Gambling with Lives bereaved families have been awarded the 2025 David and Goliath award at the Sheila McKechnie Foundation’s (SMK) National Campaigner Awards, which took place on June 19.

The award recognises grassroots campaigners who have taken on powerful interests and achieved significant change, often with limited resources working across a wide range of social justice issues across the UK.

The families were shortlisted alongside Stop MSG Sphere and Can’t Buy My Silence in the David and Goliath category, which is sponsored by the Joseph Rowntree Reform Trust in memory of Lord David Shutt.

Gambling with Lives was founded by families bereaved by gambling-related suicide in 2018. Since then, they have built a community of mutual support and solidarity, offering a safe space for those bereaved by gambling suicide, whilst bringing national attention to the serious harms associated with gambling, including suicide.

The families’ efforts have also contributed to major policy developments, including the Government’s commitment to a statutory levy on the gambling industry to fund independent research, education and treatment, and the publication of NICE guidelines on gambling-related harms.

“Today we stand in solidarity with them, and we recognise their courage, their compassion and their tireless fight for change so no more families have to go through what we did.”

Judith Bruney

For the families involved, this work has always been more than a campaign – it is about standing together in grief, providing support to each other, and using their experience to drive change.

The award was accepted on behalf of the families by Judith Bruney, one of the founding GwL families, whose son Chris died by gambling-related suicide in 2017.

“The charity provides a safe space and meaningful support for families who have been affected or bereaved,” said Judith.  

“For many, it’s one of the few places where their voices are heard and their experiences truly understood. The strength of the families behind Gambling with Lives, the ability to channel their pain into action, is both moving and inspiring.”

The families continue to call for further reforms, including that every gambling-related suicide is properly investigated and lessons learned to prevent future deaths.

The 2025 SMK National Campaigner Awards were held on 19 June in London and recognised campaigners in categories including Environmental Justice, Amplifying Voices, and Best Use of Law.

Full details of this year’s winners and shortlisted campaigns are available on the SMK website.