When it comes to fundraising, we think the clue is in the name. FUNdraising. It should be something that you find fun, something you love doing. So, when his mum was diagnosed with stage 4 lung cancer, Mike turned to one of his hobbies – gaming – to help raise money and support his mum, and others like her.
“I’m really close to my mum. We both love football and spend a lot of time watching matches together.
Mum is very determined. She doesn’t let things get in her way. She’s the type of person who once they set their mind on something it’s done! She was a professor in microbiology and used to do a lot of research into cancer, so we had some awareness of lung cancer, but we still didn’t make the connection.
Mum had a cough, but we just thought it was your everyday cold, or flu. Lung cancer was never even a passing thought.
Game on
Gaming has always been a hobby of mine. I’m the only one in my family who is passionate about it. I’ve met a lot of incredible and unique people from playing games, which is what made me start streaming.
I stream my games on the popular streaming network, Twitch. Back in early December, my viewers and I were discussing potential ways of raising money for charity. It’s something we’d talked about before, but nothing had ever come off.
It was then that we decided to do a 24-hour stream to raise money. I asked mum which charity she wanted to support and she chose Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation.
Game day
The charity stream began on 11th January 2020 at 9.30am and finished 24 hours later on the 12th. We played a variety of different games, including Football Manager 2020 and Overcooked 2.
The last six hours were the most difficult – and painful at times – knowing and feeling that you’re so tired but you cannot go to sleep. Knowing I was supporting mum though kept me going. When I ended the stream, I was completely exhausted. I went to bed and fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow.
I managed to raise £664. I still can’t believe I managed to raise so much. I was, and still am, totally overwhelmed by everyone’s generosity.
To me, it shows the power of my fantastic gaming community and their willingness to support where they can. Without them, I wouldn’t be able to have raised such a fantastic amount and I am truly grateful for all of them.”
Like Mike, you too can turn something you love doing into a brilliant fundraising idea to support those living with lung cancer. For help and inspiration, email community@roycastle.org or call 0333 323 7200.
