Will Fletcher’s 26-Hour Gameathon for LGBTQ Inclusion
Will Fletcher takes on the 2.6 challenge: Gaming live online for 26 hours in aid of LGBT+ anti-bullying charity Diversity Role Models, from 10:00am BST on Sunday 26 April 2020
The 2.6 challenge, a nationwide campaign to save UK charities in-light of the COVID-19 global pandemic, begins on 26 April, the day the 40th London Marathon was due to take place. Last year, marathon participants raised over £66 million for various charities across the UK including Diversity Role Models.
With fundraising restricted to digital platforms, avid gamer Will Fletcher will take on the 2.6 challenge by choosing to game online for 26 hours from 10:00am BST on Sunday 26 April 2020 in aid of DRM, an LGBT+ anti-bullying in schools charity.
Will’s Gameathon will live stream on Twitch and Twitter and welcomes guest speakers from the LGBT+ community, charity volunteers and supporters to discuss DRM’s work to end bullying in UK schools.
Speaking on the relationship between the LGBT+ and gaming communities, Will said: “Gaming can be such a toxic space for LGBT+ people. Like schools, it’s one of the places where discriminatory language and bullying are still rife. I’m really excited to be using gaming to do something good for LGBT+ people.”
Will’s picks to play include: Final Fantasy XIV, Splatoon 2, Rollercoaster Tycoon, Overcooked, Jackbox, Link’s Awakening and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe. His target is to raise a minimum of £2000.
Diversity Role Models seeks to foster an LGBT+ inclusive environment in schools where students are empowered to embrace difference and end bullying. Delivering workshops in classrooms, role models from the LGBT+ community share their personal stories so students learn tolerance and acceptance of diversity.
Adam McCann, Chief Executive of Diversity Role Models, said: “After our workshops, 83% of Year 5 & 6 students on average indicated they’d be confident to challenge the use of phrases like ‘that’s so gay’ in their schools. Will’s target is enough for us to reach the equivalent of 500 students – this Gameathon has the potential to stamp out LGBT+ bullying in entire year groups!”
Donations can be made on JustGiving now, so tune in on Sunday and let Will know he has your support!
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