Poker players chip in for kidney patients in Vinay's memory

On Saturday 1 October, a dedicated group of friends will hold a poker tournament in memory of Vinay Kishor Ladwa, who passed away in 2013 following a kidney transplant.

Every year, a group of his family and friends hold a charity football match and poker tournament to celebrate Vinay’s life and raise funds for kidney patients at QEHB, playing under the team name VKL United. The philanthropic footballers raised £600 at their match in January 2016, and are hoping the poker tournament will be similarly successful.

Eight months later, on Saturday 1 October, Stephen Spencer and fellow members of VKL United will host a poker tournament at Astwood Bank Social Club in Redditch. The tournament will begin at 4pm, with guests and competitors asked to arrive at 3.30pm.

Players can buy in at £10 for 10,000 poker chips, with the opportunity to purchase two additional buy-ins at the same price. Proceeds from the event will go to help kidney patients, like Vinay, who receive treatment and transplants at QEHB.

Sian Averill, Fundraising Officer at QEHB Charity, said: “VKL United hold brilliant events every year to raise money to benefit kidney patients and commemorate their beloved friend Vinay. We can’t wait for the poker tournament on Saturday – best of luck to everyone competing and thank you for supporting patients like Vinay at QEHB.”

The poker tournament will take place from 4pm (arrive at 3.30pm) on Saturday 1 October at Astwood Bank Social Club, 5 Dark Lane, Astwood Bank, Redditch.