Lifelites Game Time brings gaming communities together to raise vital funds

In January 2026, gamers and communities across the UK have been coming together to support children with life-limiting conditions through Lifelites Game Time. From marathon charity livestreams to board game events in local cafés, supporters are turning their love of gaming into vital fundraising. The campaign encouraged individuals, groups and businesses to host gaming activities that raise funds for specialist technology used in children’s hospices across the UK and Ireland. Recent events, including a 32-hour online gaming challenge and a community board game night, highlight how gaming can bring people together and make a meaningful difference for children and families facing the most challenging circumstances.

From marathon livestreams to local board game events, supporters across the UK have been coming together through Lifelites Game Time this January. They used their love of gaming to raise vital funds for children with life-limiting conditions.

32-hour livestream challenge raises over £1,285

After the success of his 24-hour charity stream last year, Dan Merry returned for another epic challenge. Once again, the gaming community showed up in force.

As part of Game Time, Dan Merry took on a marathon livestream that ran for an incredible 32 hours. He raised more than £1,200 for Lifelites, a great effort continuing from his 2024 stream. The stream was extended well beyond its original timeframe. Indeed, milestone donations continued to roll in as the time went by, with each target adding extra time and new challenges.

Gaming community steps up for charity

Throughout the event, fellow gamers joined Dan online to keep energy levels high and the momentum going during the toughest hours. Donation milestones added an extra layer of entertainment. These included Dan shaving his beard down to a goatee, then a moustache, and, after reaching the £1,000 mark, enduring a live on-stream leg wax.

Explaining why he took on the challenge again, Dan said:

“Gaming has always been a big part of my life, it’s how I relax, connect with others, and unwind after a long day. After last year’s stream, I really saw how powerful gaming can be when it’s used for good. Gamers are incredibly passionate, and when there’s a good cause involved – and the promise of a leg wax – they’ll always go all in.”

He also highlighted the wider impact of gaming for charity:

“Gaming can bring people together from all over the world. I like to think I was not just fundraising, but helping amplify the amazing work they do and reaching people who might not have heard of the charity before. If sitting at my desk for 32 hours, losing my beard, and enduring a leg wax helps even a little, it’s 100% worth it.”

Local board game café hosts community event

Game Time has also inspired support offline, including from independent business owners Kitti and Matt, who run The Gamers Guide Café in Sheffield. They hosted a social gaming event where visitors could meet new people and play board games together.

“We did a social gaming event where people could turn up, join a table and play some board games with strangers. It is a great way to get to know new people and make friends,” Kitti explained.

The couple discovered Lifelites through a regular customer and were quick to get involved. “As an ex-teacher, I feel very strongly about the well-being of children,” said Kitti.

“Board games are amazingly accessible, there is a board game out there for everyone and every group. So, when we learned that by doing what we love we can also support children and happy childhoods, it was a no brainer to join.”

Supporting children through the power of play

Although new to the charity, its mission to support children through play immediately resonated.

“I do think that every child deserves a happy childhood. It is not just about learning. It is about experiencing things. So the fact that you guys help children to play, it really resonated with me. It is not about better grades or performance in school, it is about enjoying life as much as possible.”

Taking part was also an important milestone for their growing business. “It is a great cause and it felt great to be able to contribute. As a small business still at the beginning, this was the first time when we could use our ‘influence’ to help something which is important for us, so it was a great experience and milestone in our journey as small business owners.”

The team is already planning for next year. “We have learned a lot from this year’s event and we hope to be able to raise much more next year.”

Encouraging others to get involved, Kitti added: “Especially for businesses like us, it is such a simple way to do something good. It was great to do something good while also enjoying ourselves!”

From online communities to local venues, Lifelites Game Time is bringing people together through play. By raising essential funds to provide specialist technology, they help seriously ill children across the UK and Ireland play, communicate and create precious memories.