Five gamers got together this weekend to do what they love, and they raised money for sick kids while doing it.
From noon on Saturday to noon on Sunday, all five members of the video gaming website, The Critical Hit (CH), played both retro and modern video games for 24 hours straight to raise money for The Winnipeg Children’s Hospital. The effort was organized through the Extra Life charity, an agency that encourages gamers to raise money by completing video game marathons.
A total of 100% of the funds raised go toward buying video games, toys, board games and books for children who are forced to spend time in a hospital bed.
The Critical Hit raised just over $1800 during the 24-hour Game-A-Thon, which was streamed live on twitch.tv, and although the marathon is over, tax-deductible donations can still be made.
A few of the games/consoles CH played throughout the 24-hours
The Critical Hit, made up of Nolan Bicknell, Tony Handkamer, Justin Luschinski, Evan Allen and Kieran Moolchan, were joined by multiple “guest-gamers” who played alongside them, and entertained dozens of viewers via a live-chat.
Kieran Moolchan says the marathon gaming session was difficult, but satisfying.
“Our eyes might be a little heavy and work might be tough on Monday morning, but it’s nowhere near as tough as some of these kids have it,” says Moolchan. “All kids should have the opportunity to play, and just enjoy being a kid. If we’re able to help them do that, even by taking their mind off of the negativity even for a few hours, it feels really good.”
Extra Life has raised $6 million dollars in 2014 alone, on behalf of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in the United States and Canada, which itself has raised over $5 billion since 1983.
The Critical Hit is still accepting donations on behalf of the Winnipeg Children’s Hospital and you can make a donation here:
http://www.extra-life.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=19313
