10 years of GameBlast 24 hour fundraising gaming marathon

🕹️  £32k raised to purchase a wide range of technology equipment for accessible gaming and technology assessments

🖥️  215 technology assessments delivered

💸  Total of £2million raised for GameBlast

What is GameBlast
GameBlast is an annual fundraising event organised by UK-based charity Special Effect, who uses accessible technology to tackle isolation and enables inclusion for people with physical disabilities. The event, billed as the UK’s largest charity gaming weekend, has been held for 12 years and has become a major highlight in the charity’s fundraising calendar, raising nearly £2M in total.

William Merritt Centre proudly joined GameBlast in 2015, and over the past decade, we have raised an impressive £32,000 for Special Effect. Every February, the Centre transforms into an accessible gaming hub, welcoming over 40 passionate supporters and fundraisers to game for 24 hours, united in the mission to raise vital funds for Special Effect and William Merritt Centre.

More about Special Effect
The charity’s core work is helping people enjoy the fun and friendship of video games to the best of their abilities, but this mission of inclusion extends beyond gaming, whether that’s by using eye-gaze technology to bring communication, independence and hope for people in intensive care units with a severe injury or illness, or by using telepresent robots to reconnect medically isolated children with their education and friends.

William Merritt Centre technology services
The funds raised through GameBlast have been instrumental in supporting our vital technology services. Access to technology is essential for happy and independent living.

We provide FREE assistance to individuals who face challenges in using technology due to disabilities or frailty. Here are some of the technologies we offer support with:

💻 PCs and Macs

📱 Mobile phones and tablets

🖱️ Keyboard and mice alternatives

🕹️ Joysticks, switches and switch interfaces

🎮 Accessible gaming

Technology bought with GameBlast funds
• Range of games for accessible gaming days
• PlayStation 5 Console
• Hori flex controller
• Two PlayStation 5 access controllers
• PlayStation 5 adaptive gaming kit
• Xbox adaptive controller
• Wheelchair style joysticks

We are excited to have been part of GameBlast since 2015 and have commemorated this journey each year! To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we have compiled a special report that highlights our remarkable achievements together.