Europe’s first ever underwater poker tournament has been hailed a success after raising £6,500 for cancer support.
Last Saturday, leading national casino group and event sponsor, Napoleons Casino, invited spectators to don a wetsuit and dive down to six metres to watch the first event of its kind in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support.
The event, which was held at Ponds Forge in Sheffield, was hosted by poker and scuba enthusiast, John Stanley. Having sadly lost close family members and most recently his wife Gina, 44, to cancer, the event organiser decided to combine his two passions and put on the once in a lifetime match.
The event organiser said: “If it wasn’t for Napoleons Casino’s belief and generosity, this event would never have managed to take place. I am so grateful for all its help and donations. The turnout was brilliant and it was great to see so many people supporting a cause so close to my heart.”
Napoleons, which has six casinos across the country, donated £1,200 in sponsorship, as well as a poker table, cards and chips. It was Napoleons’ own Scott Bailey – card room manager at the Sheffield casino – who made a splash and won the tournament.
George Forsyth, general manager at Napoleons Casino in Owlerton, Sheffield, said: “It was great to see so many people come to witness this one-off event. An underwater poker match is such a fantastic and unique idea and I’m ecstatic the day was such a great success and plenty of money was raised for Macmillan.”
It’s not too late to donate to this great cause, just visit the Underwater Poker Just Giving page at: http://www.justgiving.
