GAME Digital Plc has today announced that SpecialEffect, the gamers’ charity, is its nominated charity for its UK subsidiaries for 2016/17. The announcement follows a UK company-wide survey, inviting staff to choose which charity they would most like to support which also had the best association with GAME. SpecialEffect’s work using technology and videos games to enhance the quality of life of people with physical disabilities struck a chord with employees across the business and all staff will now have the opportunity to get involved in raising money for the charity.
GAME aim to help raise awareness and funding for the charity through their unique multichannel offering across the gaming community including its stores, the GAME app, events, esports initiatives and social networks. GAME will be the lead retail partner in two national fundraising events: GameBlast17 (February 24-26) and One Special Day, which next year will fall on the exact date of the charity’s 10th anniversary (29th September 2017). Multiplay events, including the UK’s biggest gaming festival Insomnia, will host dedicated spaces and build more fundraising into events such as its popular Insomnia pub quiz. Staff will also have the opportunity to take part in races and team-building events such as the Spring Monster Race, British 10K and the Wembley Fives games industry football tournament, whilst raising vital funds.
SpecialEffect uses technology such as eye-control and modified joysticks to ensure that people gain access to hours of entertainment, irrespective of physical impairment. Since the charity was founded in 2007, the charity’s staff has built up a unique expertise in this area, as well as an extensive library of consoles, games and accessible controllers which it loans out to disabled gamers while they find the set-up that’s right for them. All of these services are provided free of charge, which is why fundraising partnerships such as this one are so important to the charity, as the numbers of people seeking their help continue to grow.
Fred Prego, GAME’s Group Insight Director said: “SpecialEffect represents a cause close to our hearts here and we’re proud to have been supporter of the charity for several years now along with the team at Multiplay. Employees across all areas of the UK business felt the charity fits perfectly with our position as an inclusive, valuable community of gamers and we will be putting together an extensive programme of activities to raise more money to help give more people the opportunity to experience the joy of gaming. We’re delighted to be working so closely with SpecialEffect, and hope to help make their tenth year next year their most successful yet.”
Mick Donegan, SpecialEffect CEO, added: “We’re absolutely honoured to be the nominated charity of GAME and incredibly grateful for the generosity of their staff and communities. The company, along with the staff at Multiplay, have provided invaluable support in the last few years and we’re looking forward to working even more closely together. The money raised will enable even more people with physical disabilities to enjoy the magic and inclusion of video games.”
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