Giving Tuesday: Six gaming charities to donate to
Do some good with your money
With Black Friday and Cyber Monday both a distant memory, we're now onto Giving Tuesday, a time to give something to those who need it - and not spend slightly less money on an OLED TV.
So we've compiled a list of some of the top gaming charities - along with some that are close to our hearts - which could really do with your cash to thrive.
Below you'll find six charities we think are great, and we reckon you should give some money to if you think you already have enough things of your own.
There are many more out there - your local foodbanks could really use your cash at this time of year, for example - but we've picked out ones that are close to our heart or support people through gaming. We are a gaming site, after all.
SpecialEffect
One of the UK's biggest and best-known gaming charities, SpecialEffect focuses its efforts on making video games more accessible to physically disabled players. This comes in many forms, including working with the person to develop controllers and setups that help with their specific needs.
Its biggest event is the One Special Day, where mobile and console game developers around the world pledge a share of their revenues earned during that day to SpecialEffect. Last year, the charity raised £446,000 in a single day through the initiative, and it's hoping to do even more this year.
How can I get involved?
2018's One Special Day will take place on Friday September 28th, and a whole host of developers will be offering up in-game items you can purchase to help SpecialEffect out.
If you'd rather just give them some money right now, there's also a JustGiving page already set up for the day where you can donate directly to the charity.
(RED)
(RED) focuses its efforts on eradicating AIDS and HIV using funds raised from products it partners with, so you get some fancy new tech while also helping to make a difference in the world.
You've probably seen them around before – they do a rather nifty (RED) iPhone in partnership with Apple, some of the proceeds of which go to helping the charity.
How can I get involved?
Buy stuff! If it's got the (RED) branding, then you know some of the money is going to the charity – as long as you're buying it new, that is. So, go grab that iPhone you've always wanted and help save a life while you're there.
If you can't afford a brand-new phone, (RED) regularly partner with the App Store and its developers to add IAPs which also raise money for the charity. Keep your eyes peeled for future partnerships.
War Child
War Child is a charity focused specifically on helping children who find themselves caught up in war or who are forced to become child soldiers, providing aid and education where it's needed.
The charity has been running for around 25 years, but in the past few years has turned its attention to video games to help raise even more money. This is largely through its War Child Armistice events, which sees developers adding peaceful items for purchase to their action-focused games.
How can I get involved?
War Child Armistice is an annual event, though 2018's dates have yet to be announced. Rest assured that they'll be showing up some time soon.
You can find out more about fundraising for the charity on its website, or you can donate directly to them if you prefer.
GamesAid
Not a charity per se, but rather an umbrella for raising money for other charities, GamesAid is a UK-based organisation which raises money throughout the year before dividing the funds between different charities it finds deserving.
It's mostly focused on working with the UK games industry to raise money, but that doesn't stop the average Joe from chipping in, and it's a safe bet for your money to be divided between multiple causes if you're not sure who to back.
How can I get involved?
GamesAid has a pretty nifty flowchart to follow depending on your situation, but if you're just looking to throw money at a charity, you can head straight to their JustGiving page to chip in.
If you want something in return, they also have an eBay page where you can buy games and memorabilia to add to your collection while still giving the charity some funds.
Girls Who Code
While it may not be making any immediate fixes to poorer areas of the world, Girls Who Code's goal is still admirable – it's closing the gender gap in technology by helping teach young girls and women how to code.
To do this, the charity is running clubs for girls to go and learn coding, as well as longer courses to help develop their skills and gain an insight into how the tech industry works from the inside.
How can I get involved?
Girls Who Code accept donations all year round, so if you want to give them so money right now, you can! Just head to their website, hit donate, and you're basically halfway there.
Special Stars Foundation
This is a special request from Deputy Editor Harry. Special Stars is a Hull-based charity looking to improve the lives of people with disabilities.
This includes subsidised physiotherapy, support groups, and advice sessions, as well as general social activities for children and adults.
How can I get involved?
Like most of the charities listed, you can easily send a direct donation to Special Stars. They also run their own charity shop if you fancy helping out but still want a cheap gift for someone.
