Child's Play charity dinner boosts coffers for Christmas

The Child's Play children's charity, which provides hospitals with industry supported donations of games, toys and electronic hardware, has announced that its third annual charity dinner event has raised over USD 200,000.

The money will be used to compliment the USD 200,000 already raised through the annual toy drive, where games industry professionals purchased hundreds of brand new games consoles, DVD and MP3 players, toys, games, books and gadgets. The items will be distributed amongst the twenty or so children's hospitals partnered with the charity.

Held at the Meydenbauer Centre in Bellevue, Washington, on December 13th, the USD 100 per head fund-raiser event included a dinner, silent auction and live auction, with specialist items donated from the industry and all profits going directly to the charity.

"A huge thank you goes out to all the individual gamers and corporate sponsors who have already made this year's campaign such a success," said Child's Play's Robert Khoo. "You are making a difference in a lot of children's lives."

Highlights of the event, which was attended by over 250 people, included a staggering USD 20,000 paid for an exclusive appearance in a comic strip on Penny Arcade, the founders of which established the Child's Play charity three years ago.

A wide range of generous donations were provided throughout the auction, such as the USD 3000 paid for a trip to CCP Games in Iceland, USD 1000 for a tour of Halo creators Bungie Studios and USD 2000 and USD 4000 paid for 'mystery' boxes.

The charity is now in its third successful year, and was originally established to benefit the Seattle Children's Hospital. As the organisation has grown, additional hospitals throughout the US, Canada and around the world have benefited, including Liverpool's Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

Additional contributions of games, toys and entertainment resources can still be made by visiting the Child's Play website.