Rick Shiels, the world’s most watched online golf personality with almost three million YouTube subscribers, has seen his fundraising efforts surge past £250k, as charitable causes play an increasingly key part in his channel’s work.
Shiels originally started reviewing equipment and products on his principal Rick Shiels Golf channel and now has a huge following across his Rick Shiels Golf Show podcast and H.I.T. channels and is eager to see more charities benefit from his expanding audience reach.
His first YT Golf Day back in 2019 raised over £50,000 and he has since been closely involved in campaigns for the likes of MIND and the ‘It’s Never You’ childhood cancer charity, for whom he completed the London Marathon in 2023 and 2024 raising over £16,000.
His biggest fundraiser to date was for the Walk 150 campaign with Prostate Cancer UK, which saw Shiels and other fundraisers trek the distance from Prestwick Golf Club, home of the first Open Championship in 1860, to St Andrews ahead of the famed Old Course hosting the 2022 tournament.
His latest work saw him host 13-year-old fan Jack from Chorley at his H.I.T. studio for the day in partnership with Make-A-Wish® UK. Jack was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia in 2020 and after three years of treatment he was able to ‘ring the bell’ in July 2023. He has completed treatment for his condition which affects his blood and bone marrow.
Jack and his family, enjoyed a memorable day, helping him to experience what it feels like to be a YouTube star. The brave youngster has cited Rick as his hero, with his videos helping to improve his own skills, and often find a welcome escape from his illness.
Make-A-Wish UK is a global movement that brings joy to children with critical illnesses, so when Rick learned of Jack’s story, the challenge was on to create a unique and unforgettable experience.
Jack took part in a fun ‘closest to the pin’ challenge before visiting the podcast studio, where The Rick Shiels Golf Show is filmed, joining Rick at the microphone for an exclusive episode, which was filmed, edited, and shared with Jack and his family as a treasured keepsake.
Rick Shiels said: “Meeting Jack and spending the day with him was an incredible experience – his passion for golf and positive spirit were truly inspiring.
“It’s days like this that make the hard work so worthwhile. Working with charities like the Make-A-Wish UK make you realise what incredible work is going on to make children’s lives particularly more manageable and enjoyable during some of the darkest times.”
Wishgranter Kate McDonald at Make-A-Wish UK said: “There are over 63,000 children like Jack across the UK living with a critical condition.
“Wishes have the power to restore the magic of childhood, providing an escape from the gruelling reality of treatments and hospital stays. We’re incredibly grateful to Rick Shiels for creating such an incredible wish experience for Jack.
“Thanks to him, Jack’s family has many wonderful memories to treasure forever.”
For more information, including how you can donate, please visit: www.make-a-wish.org.uk
To find out more about Rick Shiels, and to follow him across his channels, please visit rickshiels.com