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Bet on a better future for children with charity poker
Tristan Kirk
A CHARITY is hoping for a full house for a poker tournament inspired by a former Golders Green resident.
Lincoln Abraham was killed aged 34 in the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami while on holiday in Thailand. Before his death he had campaigned tirelessly for children's charities in the area.
The Lincoln Abraham Foundation was set up in 2005 in his memory and is continuing his charitable work with a poker night on Thursday April 19 at the Raglan Hall Hotel in Muswell Hill.
Paul Simmons, a friend of Mr Abraham and tournament organiser, said: "The foundation started in January 2005 as we tried to get some light out of what was a very dark situation.
"Lincoln did so much work for local charities. He lived the life everyone wished they could live. He worked hard and he played hard."
Mr Abraham has a successful career in the city but did not have a family of his own. The charity aims to help those less fortunate and inspire the children he was never able to have himself.
So far the charity has raised more than £50,000.
There are places for 144 players in the tournament with a first prize of a guaranteed place at the Party Poker World Championships, to be screened live on Channel Five.
Mr Simmons said: "This evolved from long nights watching a lot of poker on the TV. Lincoln was a very keen poker player and I think would have appreciated this event.
"We have seen other charities putting on poker nights and we thought that we could do it bigger and better - and I think we have."
The night will also feature an auction of limited edition memorabilia. Items such as signed and framed football shirts from Pele and Diego Maradona and an original gold disc that was presented to U2 will go under the hammer.
Places for the poker tournament cost £100 and organisers hope the night will raise £40,000.
This money will be donated to Kisharon, a Jewish charity that helps children and adults with learning disabilities. It is raising money to buy a new minibus for wheelchair users.
The Lincoln Abraham Foundation raises money for various children's charities in north London. It has already helped the Kisharon Foundation refurbish and equip three new workshops for students with disabilities.
"We chose the Kisharon charity because we wanted something small enough that the money we raised would have an impact and the children would feel the difference," said Mr Simmons.
Players can register for the tournament online at www.lincoln abraham.org.
Doors open at 6.30pm and play begins at 7.30pm
editorial@hamhigh.co.uk
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