National Charity Movement Launches Gaming for Good Event with Support from Influencers
End Youth Homelessness and its charity partners call on gaming fans to join fundraiser for homeless young people, and gains support from popular UK gamers including Rose and Rosie
EVENT REGISTRATION LINK – www.rocktrust.org/gaming-for-good
End Youth Homelessness, a network of UK youth homelessness charities, has announced the launch of new national ‘Gaming for Good’ event to raise money for their work helping homeless young people into housing and employment.
The charity network, made up of 11 regional charities including two leading Scottish youth homelessness charities Rock Trust and Aberdeen Foyer, has warned of an increase in youth homelessness against a backdrop of strained provision, and increases in unemployment and demand for mental health support. The event will raise vital funds to help charities to continue delivering support via Housing and Employment, Education and Training (EET) programmes.
UK wide 2019-20 figures show that 121,000 young people asked for help from their local council because they were homeless or at risk of homelessness. For Scotland, 2019-20 statistics published by the Scottish Government show that 8,319 people between the age of 16 and 25 presented as homeless, comprising nearly 26% of all homeless applications. Despite progressive legislation and strong leadership in Scotland, young people aged 16-25 continue to be disproportionately represented in the population experiencing homelessness and more needs to be done to help them move away from homelessness for good.
For two weeks in April (2nd – 17th), End Youth Homelessness and its charity partners are calling on the public to set up their own gaming fundraisers via Just Giving, with an aim for each participant to raise £121 in support of the 121,000 young people facing homelessness. £121 could pay for a move on pack of household essentials such as a toaster, kettle or bedding to help a young person successfully move into independent living. Scottish charity partners Rock Trust, who operates in Edinburgh, the Lothians, Perth and Fife, and Aberdeen Foyer based in Aberdeen, are inviting their loyal Scottish supporters to get involved in the two week gaming festival and help them put an end to youth homelessness in Scotland.
The event hopes to engage a range of supporters, from avid online gamers, to novices, families, and those simply looking for a COVID-friendly activity.
The national charity movement is also rallying influencers from the gaming world to support the event by streaming sessions with a donation-based joining fee. Those supporting the event include popular gamers Rose and Rosie, PyrionFlax and Lionheartx10.
Rose and Rosie commented, “We are very happy to be supporting End Youth Homelessness and bringing together fellow gamers to raise money for this important cause. We were shocked to learn that 121,000 young people in the UK faced homelessness last year, and with our audience containing a large number of 16-25’s, we wanted to support in any way we could. We will be streaming our gaming event for EYH on 17th April via Twitch, and are encouraging others to set up their own events so we can make a real difference together”
“We are very excited to be holding our first ever Gaming for Good event,” said EYH Managing Director, Nick Connolly. “This new event will raise vital funds to support homeless young people whose prospects have been hit so hard by the pandemic. Also, by hosting your own Gaming for Good event, you can connect with friends and family to replicate some of the fun of real-life events while we all ensure the countdown to freedom. We want to help raise spirits as well as funds!”
Sign up to the event at www.rocktrust.org/gaming-for-good
