GameBlast23: our press release

Later Levels and friends to revisit gaming decade in ten-day charity challenge.

Committed gamers Later Levels and friends are gearing up to tackle ten days of gaming from Friday, 17 to Sunday, 26 February 2023 to raise money for people with disabilities.

They’ll be revisiting video games released during the past decade as part of GameBlast23, the UK’s largest gaming marathon event, and are aiming to raise over £500 for SpecialEffect. This amazing charity uses technology to help people with physical disabilities benefit from the fun and inclusion of gaming.

Later Levels, Pragmatic Pixel and The Lawful Geek – known collectively as ‘The Super Excellent Team’ – are asking everyone to help them raise awareness for the organisation and reach their donation target by sponsoring them via their online fundraising page.

“SpecialEffect makes it possible for everyone to play the video games we enjoy and take for granted, through assessment and equipment modification,” said Pete, a Later Levels’ streamer. “We believe in the positive power of gaming, and GameBlast gives us a chance to put this belief into action by showing our support for the charity.”

“Many people across the UK will be playing video games for up to 24 hours. It’s a big challenge, but they’re attempting it to help the thousands of people who, because of a disability, can only sit and watch other people have all the fun,” said Tom Donegan, the head of the charity’s fundraising and communications team. “GameBlast is an opportunity for everybody to do what they love best and level the playing field for individuals with disabilities at the same time.”

The charity is inviting teams of friends, family members and work colleagues to join the event, which has been likened to a ‘Children in Need for gamers’. There’s no strict requirement for people to take on gaming marathons, and many teams and individuals will be playing board games or holding gaming-related events. The aim is to raise a total of £150,000.

“The Super Excellent Team’s efforts will help people like Aaron who never thought he’d be able to play video games again because his muscular dystrophy stopped him using a controller, ” said Tom. “The sponsorship raised through the GameBlast weekend will change the lives of many more people like him through the gift of gaming fun and inclusivity.”

Anyone can sponsor the team online via their JustGiving page and watch them live from Friday, 17 February 2023 on the Twitch channels below. More details about the GameBlast event can be found on the official website.

Links

SpecialEffect