MEDIA: Gaming Charity Marathon is back for 2023

The gaming charity-marathon that fundraises each year for the Terry Campese Foundation is back for 2023. The marathon is run by local games outlet Player 2.

Every year, the Player 2 team goes live on Twitch for 24 hours of non-stop gaming and fundraising. So far, the Player 2 Charity Gaming Marathon has raised over $22,000 in donations.

Editor of Player 2, Matt Hewson, has been a major supporter of the Terry Campese Foundation’s charity work from the very beginning.

The Foundation was started by former Canberra Raiders player Terry Campese, with a mission to support marginalised young people in Canberra and its surrounding regions.

Since its inception in 2012, the Foundation has hosted and participated in a range of fundraising activities to raise the funds needed to make a difference at both the individual and community level.

The focus of this year’s charity marathon is fundraising for the Terry Campese Foundation’s Youth Mentor Program, which brings teenagers from troubled backgrounds and volunteer mentors together for a six-month program of training, life skills, coaching, and team building. 

The program is very effective in helping these teens gain employment or enter further study, with a success rate of 90% of past participants.

The 2023 program culminates in a trip to Papua New Guinea, the goal being to complete the Kokoda Trail.

First, the program runs 20-week Youth Mentor Program groups across four regions (Queanbeyan, Braidwood, Goulburn and Canberra) before all meeting at the chosen location for the final trekking challenge.

One of last years participants said of the program: “This wasn't only a physical challenge, it was also mentally challenging. To get up everyday and keep going, with support from the mentors and my peers... it all gave me a great sense of achievement and a big improvement in my self-confidence.”

The Player 2 Charity Marathon will kick off on Saturday, January 28, starting at 9am. They are aiming to beat their current record of raising just over $5500 in a single charity marathon.

Player 2 has arranged for a number of industry players to donate a few prizes.

Each $5 donation puts donors in the running to win great prizes gamers will love including consoles, games and merchandise.

Check out other inspiring marathons where people run for a cause, or start your fundraising page by clicking the button below.