GamesAid selects eight charities for final nominations
Members to vote for five to become beneficiaries for 2011
Eight final charities have been selected by industry charity GamesAid to go forward to a final round of voting by members to choose five beneficiaries for support in 2011.
Announced at the launch of the London Games Festival tonight, the charities selected for the vote are all dedicated to helping children and young people, and are spread across the UK.
"As anyone can see all these charities do tremendous work and I would like to wish them all the very best of luck," said GamesAid chairman Andy Payne.
" I would like to appeal to all GamesAid members to make use of their vote and get behind their chosen charity, indeed if you are in the games industry you can join GamesAid and take part in the voting. Play your part!"
All eight charities nominated follow:
Action for Kids is a national charity working with children and young people with physical and learning disabilities and their parents and carers in three main ways: providing mobility aids, work related learning and family support services through a provision of appropriate aid and support to enable a greater level of independence and opportunity.
Special Effect is a charity dedicated to helping all young people with disabilities to enjoy computer games by adapting, developing and modifying cutting edge technology. They also support hospitals, hospices and special schools in finding the right leisure technology for those young people who need it most, and by loaning specialised leisure technology to young people who have a sudden serious injury or illness.
Rainbow Family Trust is behind Francis House which provides a home from home to families who have children diagnosed as having a life threatening or life limiting conditions.
Family Holiday Association works to give disadvantaged families a chance for a break away from home, and last year helped 1,600 families to do just this. Over two million children in the UK live in families who cannot afford a day trip to the seaside, let alone a simple holiday.
Families Need Fathers provide help and support in many guises to involve both parents in the children's needs when it comes to marital breakdown.
The Willow Foundation is the only charity of its kind providing special days for seriously ill 16 to 40 year olds throughout the UK. These days aim to provide a break from the stress and difficult realities of diagnosis and treatment. They offer the chance to spend quality time with family and friends doing something they will all enjoy and creating precious memories.
Volunteer Centre Sutton: MAPS is a mentoring and peer support service for some of societies most vulnerable and marginalised children and young people from ages 5-19yrs. Referrals are made for various reasons including exhibiting incredibly challenging or aggressive behaviour; having witnessed something as horrific as domestic abuse; or simply being part of a large family living below the poverty line.
Huntingdon Dreamdrops aims to raise money to make a real difference to children and families who use hospital or specialist children's health facilities in Huntingdonshire. Money raised supports those extras that are not covered by public funds but which make using health service more tolerable for children and their families.
Donations can be made to GamesAid via the charity's Just Giving page.