2008 WSOP champ Eastgate Creates Charity

World Series of Poker champion Peter Eastgate has announced that he is planning to start a charity.  After his impressive win of over $9.2 million during the World Series of Poker Main Event, the Denmark native said he is planning on sharing the wealth.  Eastgate and his brother, Casper have started their own charitable organization which is dedicated to helping raise money for children in need all over the globe.

In a stunning announcement, the Main Event winner will not only be donating one percent of his tournament earnings going forward but he has also set up a web site designed to encourage other poker players to join him in his efforts.

Eastgate said in a press conference announcing the launch of www.friendsofeastgate.com in Copenhagen Tuesday, “I think we can all agree that a child in need is worth helping.”

Friends of Eastgate plans to disperse the donations it receives to charitable organizations around the world that focus on children.  Eastgate is hoping to capitalize on his recent fame and notability in the poker world to influence other players as well as corporate sponsors to join in the fight to help those who are less fortunate.

Joining Eastgate in his venture are Danish Poker Pros Theo Jorgensen, Mads Andersen and Martin Vallo as well as tennis legend Boris Becker who announced before starting play on Wednesday that he would be donating 1% of his winnings from the European Poker Tour Copenhagen event to the cause.  The organization is already in the planning stages to host a wide variety of charitable events which will include a poker tournament that has been tentatively scheduled for Copenhagen in May.  Chief Operating Officer and President Claus Nielsen also said he is in discussion with Poker Stars about hosting online charity tournaments as well as possibly donating the rake on a few cash tables.