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Play your cards right

At the Marie Curie Cancer Care Bridge Tournament

Marie Curie Cancer Care have encouraged bridge enthusiasts to sign up for their Bridge Tournament 2010 – 2011, supported by Clive Anderson and bridge star Andrew Robson. Money raised from the tournament will help fund the vital work of Marie Curie Nurses and provide essential home nursing care for terminally ill patients.

The event, open to players from across the UK of any standard, focuses on Chicago and Rubber Bridge. The tournament was devised 14 years ago by Patron for North Essex Philippa Cannon, who continues to organise it.

She said: “The great thing about the Marie Curie Cancer Care Bridge Tournament is that it’s played for fun – it’s a social event. People play with friends, and there is no public play-off, so no matter what standard they are, they can take part. That is one of the reasons it is so popular.”

Bridging the gap for Charity

If you love to play bridge, now you can enjoy your favourite pastime and help raise money for people with terminal cancer too! Every year supporters run their own bridge tournament, with games around the country. It’s great fun and it’s so easy to get involved.

This great idea began in the nineties

After losing both her parents to cancer, Philippa Cannon decided she wanted to give something back to the Marie Curie Nurses that had helped care for her family through a difficult period.

Back in 1995, Philippa started up a charity bridge tournament, which has now become an annual success and over the years has raised over £250,000 for the charity.

Inspired by her success the 2010 tournament was opened to people across the UK - calling on budding bridge players to get involved and raise money to help Marie Curie Nurses provide vital nursing care to more terminally ill patients and their families.

Philippa said: “I really love playing bridge. It is a wonderful game, and I wanted to give something back to the charity. I thought a bridge tournament would be an enjoyable way for people to raise funds for a worthwhile cause.”

The tournament has grown from 10 groups of players in its first year to more than 200 last year. Over the years, it has raised more than £300,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care.