Helping to kick cancer'“ you bet...

POKER players dug deep and raised hundreds of pounds for a good cause by doing what they love the most.
Regulars at the Star & Garter pub held a poker tournament for Macmillan Cancer Support. Paul Goater, left, the organiser of the event, places a bet with Nik Martin 					    Picture: Keith Woodland (161391-015)Regulars at the Star & Garter pub held a poker tournament for Macmillan Cancer Support. Paul Goater, left, the organiser of the event, places a bet with Nik Martin 					    Picture: Keith Woodland (161391-015)
Regulars at the Star & Garter pub held a poker tournament for Macmillan Cancer Support. Paul Goater, left, the organiser of the event, places a bet with Nik Martin Picture: Keith Woodland (161391-015)

The group, which normally plays at the Star & Garter pub, in Copnor Road, Copnor, Portsmouth on a Wednesday night, met up for a Sunday afternoon session.

They spent more than six hours playing their favourite game and raised more than £1,100 for charity Macmillan Cancer Support, which helps look after people with the disease.

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The mammoth session was arranged by Paul Goater, from Copnor.

He has been running the group for nine years and said he was inspired to host the fundraiser after many of the league players and their families had been touched by cancer.

He said: ‘It went brilliantly. It was our local pub where we play our league. They’re really good to us there and they have chosen to raise money for Macmillan as we all know somebody who has been affected by cancer.

‘We decided to help them and about 20 of us came down to play poker. It was good fun.’

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As well as the money raised on the day, the league players have been raising cash every Wednesday evening through a variety of games.

Alun Davies, pub manager of the Star & Garter, said he was happy the group raised so much.

He said: ‘We were delighted to have raised around £1,100. We’ve held poker at the pub every midweek for a number of years where there are no cash prizes – it is all about our guests’ love of the card game.

‘Every year we do a charity event at the pub and this year we decided to have a special poker one in aid of Macmillan.

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‘I’d like to thank all our guests for all their generosity, raising so much money for such a fantastic charity.’

Andy Findlay, from Copnor, took part in the games.

He said: ‘It was a great afternoon. We started at about 1pm and finished at gone 7pm.

‘We all had a good time and more importantly, we raised more than £1,000 for a good cause.

‘We are very much looking forward to next year’s event already.’

Paul invited people to come along to the league, and said that all abilities are welcome. It is free to enter. Players should arrive at 7.30pm for an 8pm start.