Ian Simpson won the Kav Cup and donated the prize to charity

888poker ambassador Ian Simpson won the final Kav Cup tournament at GUKPT Blackpool and donated his entire £4,950 winnings to charity.

This past weekend at the Grosvenor UK Poker Tour (GUKPT) Blackpool festival, a landmark event for the entire British poker community took place — the final charity tournament of the Kav Cup . The last-ever champion of the tournament was 888poker ambassador Ian Simpson , who not only claimed the title but also donated his entire prize — £4,950 — to charity. The History of the Kav Cup: A Tournament of Remembrance and Kindness The Kav Cup tournament was established in 2015 on the initiative of Rick Gilby as a one-time event in support of Derek "Kav" Kavanagh , who was then battling a terminal cancer diagnosis. Doctors gave Kav only a few months to live, and the poker community decided to hold a farewell tournament while raising money for charity. The first tournament was an instant sell-out: all seats were taken, and the total amount raised exceeded £7,000 . The success of the event inspired the organizers to make the Kav Cup an annual tradition. Although Kav was still fighting his illness during the second event in 2016, by 2017 he had passed away. In memory of Derek, his love for poker, and Irish Guinness stout, the Kav Cup became an annual charity tournament, with 100% of registration fees going to good causes . Anniversary and Final Kav Cup: Records and Achievements In 2024, the tenth and final tournament of the series took place — Kav Cup 10 – The Finale . By the start of the final event, the total amount raised over the years stood at £86,648.42 . The previous record for a single year was £12,951 . The organizers and everyone involved set a goal — to surpass £100,000 in donations. Thanks to a record number of entries — 250 — and Ian Simpson’s decision to donate his winnings to charity, £20,100.25 was raised in this final tournament alone. This allowed them to reach and exceed their target: the total amount raised over 10 years was £104,748.67 . Main Kav Cup Results Over 10 Years: Tournaments held: 10 Total participants: 2,277 Total prize pool: £194,930 Total champions’ winnings: £46,078 Raised for charity: £104,748.67 Record annual amount: £20,100.25 (2024) Ian Simpson’s Victory and His Gesture In the final Kav Cup 10 – The Finale tournament, Ian Simpson , ambassador for the well-known online room 888poker, took the win. Instead of adding £4,950 to his bankroll, Simpson decided to donate his entire prize to the tournament’s charity fund. After his victory, he thanked Rick Gilby and the entire organizing team, noting that even after reaching the £100,000 goal, it’s important to continue supporting charitable initiatives: “There’s a lot of money in poker. If you can afford to donate even a little — think about your favorite charity.” The Significance of the Kav Cup for the British Poker Community Over 10 years, the Kav Cup became more than just a tournament — it became a symbol of unity and compassion among players. Thanks to the efforts of Rick Gilby, the memory of Derek Kavanagh, and the support of hundreds of participants, the tournament turned into a large-scale charity campaign, raising over one hundred thousand pounds for good causes. Despite relatively low buy-ins, the total prize pool over the years reached £194,930 , and the tournament champions collectively received £46,078 . However, the main goal — helping those in need — always remained the top priority. Kav Cup Tournament Table and Statistics Years held: 2015–2024 Total tournaments: 10 Total participants: 2,277 Total prize pool: £194,930 Total champions’ winnings: £46,078 Total donations: £104,748.67 Largest annual amount: £20,100.25 (2024) The final tournament drew 250 entries, and winner Ian Simpson donated his entire prize — £4,950 — to charity. What This Means for PPPoker Club Players For members of PPPoker clubs, this story is an inspiring example of how poker can serve not only as entertainment and a way to earn money, but also as a powerful tool for supporting charitable initiatives. Even tournaments with small buy-ins can raise significant amounts when the community comes together. Organizing your own charity tournaments in PPPoker clubs can be a great way to unite players, increase loyalty, and contribute to good causes. The Kav Cup example shows that with regularity and transparency in fundraising, impressive results can be achieved. Finally, Ian Simpson’s story is a reminder: every player can make a difference — whether it’s part of their winnings or a voluntary donation. Even small amounts, when combined, can change someone’s life for the better.