From football to field trips: How PokerStars employees are making a difference to Right To Play
PokerStars, our biggest corporate partner, which is part of The Stars Group, and Right To Play are continuing the partnership with Douglas Athletic FC for the 2017/2018 season. The club will be holding a poker night at the end of March where they hope to build on the last season's notable fundraising total.
In 2016 Douglas Athletic Football Club (DAFC) became the first ever Isle of Man football club to adopt a charity partner when Right To Play became the main logo on the team's shirts. Since the announcement of the partnership - in association with PokerStars - the team has completed various fundraising activities and last season raised £3,000 for Right To Play's life-changing work with children in some of the poorest parts of the world.
Fundraising activities have included a 7-aside football tournament that raised £750 and a charity poker night, supported by PokerStars, which raised an impressive £2,150 for Right To Play. A group of players from the club also completed the Isle of Man ToughMann Adventure Challenge.
In October 2017, Aaron Peters, Affiliate Specialist at PokerStars, was among the players who participated in the event and he was also part of a small team of Pokerstars employees who visited Right To Play programmes in Tanzania.
Aaron was selected to go to Tanzania for his remarkable work in his community on behalf of Right To Play. He was joined on the field trip by five colleagues including Sue Hammett, Head of Corporate Giving at Pokerstars, and Right To Play National Director, Nikki Skipper.
"I had no idea what to expect, the commitment that the teachers, schools and senior leaders show in their community is refreshing. They've got little to nothing and they're still so happy, so positive," Aaron explained.
"For me, the trip redefined my idea of happiness and how easily it is obtained. I'm going to take back unforgettable memories, the passion that these kids have showed me has really inspired me to push on with my fundraising," he added.
"The partnership with Right to Play and Pokerstars has provided awareness of the charity to all areas of Manx Football as well as the Island itself and the members of Douglas Athletic FC are proud to wear the logo on their shirts every week. We really look forward to continuing to grow our relationship going forward and raising more vital funds for this charity," Mark Lilleyman, DAFC Chairman said.
