From left, David Williams with Bob Clements and Day Hospice Nurse Linda Smith
Poker Fans Show Winning Hand for Hospice
April 11, 2011
Members of the online gaming community around the world have raised a fantastic £1,630 for Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice in a card tournament in honour of a special poker fan.
Organised by David Williams, Online Executive at gentingpoker.com, the poker game was staged to raise money for 29-year-old hospice patient Bob Clements, of Bournville. The money will be spent on providing vital care to people with life-limiting illnesses across Birmingham and Sandwell.
The event attracted 163 players, including Bob, who each paid £10 to enter. David, of Bournville, said: “I’ve known Bob since I was very young and after I saw his story in the Birmingham Mail I thought I’ve just got to do something to support the hospice.
“We never imagined this first event would raise so much, so we’re absolutely delighted and are looking at making it a quarterly game in aid of the hospice.”
Bob said: “It was a really great night and I’m grateful for the support from both the global online poker community and Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice. It was a great way to raise money.”
Hospice Head of Fundraising and Marketing Caroline Taylor said: “This is a fantastic donation and we’re very grateful to all the poker players who went online to support us. It really is a remarkable example of how online communities can come together and do so much good for others.
“The money will help pay for care in both the Inpatient Unit and Day Hospice, where Bob is a well-known and much-loved character.”
Since the Firewalk in February, Bob’s family’s fundraising efforts, including the poker game and a dance at the Albany Club in Harborne, have brought in £5,200 for Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice.
Bob’s letter writing campaign targeting potential auction and raffle donors has also yielded fruit, with meals, theatre tickets, hotel stays and a signed photograph of Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium among the items donated.
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