Charity flushed by poker success

A POKER night organised in memory of a factory worker has resulted in a big win for charity.

Workers at Walkers Snack Foods, in Peterlee, set up the event as a tribute to their colleague Tommy Langley, who died last year.

Factory contractors were asked to buy poker tables for the evening at a minimum of £100 each, though one business paid a generous £400 to take part.

A raffle was organised with staff being asked to bring in unwanted Christmas presents as prizes, helping to boost the total sum raised for the Hartlepool and District Hospice to £1,269.

Martin Trenholme, 43, a process specialist who has worked at Walkers for 26 years, said: "The night was great, everybody really enjoyed what they can remember of it!

"It is good to have a memorial like this for Tommy.

"We are happy to support the hospice and hope that the poker night becomes an annual event.

"We all know somebody who has died from cancer, or has friends or family affected by it. It is a pleasure to try to help them out with their costs."

Helen Mills, chief executive of Hartlepool and District Hospice said: "We are delighted to receive this fantastic donation from Walkers Snack Foods from their fundraising night.

"As members of our guild of patrons Walkers are supporting the development of patient care services at the hospice and this donation will be used to maintain the vital care we currently offer to people in the Hartlepool and east Durham area.

"With only 20 per cent of our funding coming from statutory services, support like this from local businesses helps us continue in our mission to care for people with life-limiting illnesses when they need it most."

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News Added: 11 April, 2008

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