A KINGSWINFORD father is trying his hand at fundraising to thank the hospital that saved his daughter’s life.

John Woods, aged 33, has organised a charity poker game at Dusk Till Dawn Poker and Casino in Nottingham next Saturday (July 12).

Cash raised at the event will go to Birmingham Children’s Hospital, where one-year-old Sophia was treated for toxic shock syndrome.

The keen poker player said: “About six months ago Sophia spilled a cup of tea on herself and got a burn on her chest. We took her to hospital to get it looked at but two days later, when we woke her up and she couldn’t stand and could barely open her eyes.”

John and his wife Rachael rushed the tot to the hospital and within an hour, she was taken to the intensive care unit.

He continued: “During those 24 hours there were times we thought we were going to lose our angel, but the doctors in the intensive care unit worked tirelessly with her and thankfully our little girl pulled through. The hospital saved her life.”

John hopes local poker players will travel to the event, which starts at 6.30pm and chip in £40.

Explaining his choice of fundraiser, John said: “I play quite a bit of poker and thought I’d raise money doing something I enjoy.

“I’ve got around 40 friends that have said they will play but anyone is more than welcome.

“I’m also trying to encourage amateurs to come along. There will be spot prizes, that won’t require skill, just pure luck, like the highest hand of the night and things like that.”

Spot prizes include a £500 weekend break, iPad Air and VIP tickets to Arsenal and Liverpool football matches.

John has also organised an online raffle via www.justgiving.com/John-Woods3 where for a £5 donation, people will have the chance to win one of two Samsung digital cameras.