"I cried like a baby" - joy as poker tournament in memory of Leyland man smashes £100,000 charity target
The tournament winner has also made a huge contribution.
A poker tournament held in memory of a Leyland man has smashed its £100,000 charity target.
KavCup was set up by Rick Gilby in honour of his friend Derek Kavanagh (Kav), who he met on the North West poker scene. When Kav was diagnosed with cancer and given only three months to live, Rick thought it would be a good way to get people together for a last hurrah - while raising money for good causes.
Kav, from Leyland Lane, was able to attend the first two events before his death aged 56 in March 2017, but the tournament at Blackpool’s Grosvenor Casino carried on in his name, becoming the biggest charity poker event in the country. Despite a brief pause during lockdown, the events up to and including last year had managed to raise £84,648.42 for a range of charities, decided upon every year by Rick and Kav’s wife Janet.
Rick decided this year’s event would be the last - and hoped to push the fundraising passed the £100,000 mark. And he did.
At the event held on October 31, the poker community raised £20,442.39, taking the total of all Kav Cups to £105,090.81.
Rick said: “Well, it's safe to say I cried like a baby. I literally can't believe it and thank each and every person that over the last 11 years has made the Kav Cup what it is.”
Rick paid tribute to the tournament’s winner, Ian Simpson, who donated all of his winnings - more than £5,000 - to the charties supported by the event. Rick said: “Sir you are an absolute legend. It really means everything.to say we raised over £100,000 in Kavs name is just amazing. A true legacy fitting for who he was. St Catherine's Hospice, Lancashire Homeless Hounds - Dogs In Need and The Carers trust will be getting much needed funds for the work they do . From me, and the Kav Cup Good night.”