Poker players donate to U.K. children's charity

Mel Judah, one of the players bidding in NPL Poker Cares fundraising auction.

In connection with the National Poker League U.K. Open in London, poker players attended the NPL Poker Cares fundraising auction, donating $30,000 to the Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital in London.

During a play-free day before the U.K. Open Main Event, Mel Judah and other British and international poker stars joined in the silent bidding on sponsored items ranging from a five-star vacation in Morocco to a fashionable designer shirt.

With 15 companies such as RBC Capital Markets and AEG Live sponsoring the NPL Poker Cares initiative with their products, the fundraising auction at the Loose Cannon Club in London raised a sum equivalent to $30,000.

"The National Poker League is highly committed to giving back to the communities in which we are involved, and will continue to do so as we cross great distances and endless bounds on our journey," said Andy Liakos, Director of Public Relations for the National Poker League.

"We are so very grateful to NPL and The Loose Cannon Club for their brilliant fundraising efforts. Great Ormond Street Hospital is a world-class hospital but needs to raise £50 million each year to continue our pioneering work," said Cherie Murphy, a fundraising executive for the hospital.