Apologies for the length. There will be Cliffs at the end.
In 2015, the son of a very close friend of our poker group was diagnosed with leukaemia. He underwent the early rounds of treatment and he and his parents were supported through this very difficult time by Young Lives vs Cancer, a national charity dedicated to providing support such as this.
Jack’s treatment was going well and there was hope in the air but he contracted chicken pox and his weakened immune system meant that he couldn’t fight it off and he passed away.
Jack was only 3 years old.
From the point of diagnosis until long after his passing, Young Lives Vs Cancer were there for Jack’s Mum and Dad in an invaluable way.
Our poker group, which included many who knew Jack or his parents, wanted to do something that would raise some money for the charity that had given them so much support. The obvious choice was a charity poker game. So we all donated a prize and we all paid our entry buy in and the Raise! For Jack Charity Poker Night was born.
The first year we raised £300 with 10 attendees. Since then, we have held an event every year. With support from players who travel from around the UK to join us we have made this game an annual event, including an online event during Covid.
Beyond the annual game we now have Raise! for Jack teams playing in events and supporters who donate a share of their winnings in other tournaments. At our first such Team Event one member had his head and beard shaved off in return for donations.
A combination of these things has meant that we have now raised around £30,000 for Young Lives vs Cancer. But we want to do more.
This year we want to make our Tournament bigger. Much bigger.
But…
Through all this time we have never given out any cash as prizes. We’ve had many prizes donated to us over the years, including poker entries both online and live; Poker Coaching Sessions; bottles of whisky, beer, wine and more; poker chip sets, shirts hoodies and hats and so much more.
This year we’d like to beat our previous years. So we need a headline prize and some fabulous options for lower spots. We’ve already been offered prizes from Grosvenor Poker, APAT and their new venture Poker Raffles.
Can you offer us anything to add to our prize list? No matter how small it will be much appreciated.
This year's event is scheduled for September 12th. If you feel that there is anything you could offer us, we would be more than grateful and, though we are a relatively small group, would give you a shout out on social media (of course). Our Facebook page is here
https://www.facebook.com/raiseforjack/Cliffs - I’m looking for prizes for a Charity Poker Night raising funds for Young Lives vs Cancer
https://www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk/I’ll be at DTD from Wednesday this week for the APAT games - I’ll be easily recognisable wearing my Raise! for Jack team shirt.
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