The things you’ll do for kids: Dad’s ready to face My Little Pony and Dora the Explorer!
A big-hearted dad-of-three is taking on a 24-hour video gaming marathon in aid of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation (SKFF) after his 5-year-old son Conor was treated at the Edinburgh’s Royal Hospital for Sick Children (RSHC).
Neil Gow (38), of South Queensferry, will be raising funds as part of the sixth annual Sick Kids Save Point – a 24-hour video gameathon and biggest charity games event in the UK, which will take place between 9 and 11 October.
Neil said: “My son Conor was just 18-months-old when he was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes and during the subsequent time spent in hospital, our family received tremendous ongoing support from hospital staff and the wider hospital community, including the SKFF. The calm environment the Foundation helps create in the RHSC is so important and we especially noticed it in the days when Conor was seriously ill in the high dependency unit.
“When Conor is sick, having diabetes can have a big impact on his overall health as it’s much harder for him to get the glucose he needs. This has resulted in him being admitted to the RHSC on several occasions and put on a drip in order to help him get the nourishment he needs. When this happens Conor must have bloods taken regularly – something which can prove to be extremely traumatic for him.
“There have been times when he had to be sedated in order to take the sample which is really distressing for everyone involved so it was fantastic to hear that the Foundation have funded some vein finding machines to help put needle phobic children at ease.”
The SKFF has funded a number of state-of-the-art AccuVein devices in recent months. Costing more than £3,500 each, this equipment shines a special light over a child’s body to reveal the veins located underneath the skin, allowing nurses to carry out any needle-based procedures more quickly and accurately than ever before.
Neil continued: “Conor is now a fairly regular visitor to the RHSC, attending clinics there or at St. John’s Hospital in Livingston once a quarter, so I really wanted to give something back to those do so much to care for him. As a big video game fan, I felt the SKSP is the perfect way for me to raise some money from my own home.”
Over the last five years more than 300 gamers from across the globe have completed the Sick Kids Save Point challenge, helping to raise more than £70,000 for the SKFF.
Having taken part in the unique fundraiser twice before, this year Neil’s fundraising will see him take on family-friendly games only in a bid to get some extra support from his three children. Evie (8), Conor (5) and Maya (1) look set to help Dad Neil tackle everything from Super Mario Kart to Hello Kitty and Dora the Explorer!
Data analyst Neil explained: “I love Sick Kids Save Point as it’s such a unique fundraiser that you can make as elaborate as you like. This year I’ve decided anything with a rating of 12 or more is off limits, so for 24 hours I’ll be taking on some of my childrens’ favourite games. I imagine concentrating on My Little Pony in the middle of the night is going to prove somewhat difficult so I’m going to make sure I get plenty of sleep the night before and eat well throughout the day to help keep my concentration up!
“I’m always blown away by people’s generosity when I fundraise for the Sick Kids Friends Foundation and I’m sure this year will be no different. I’d especially like to thank everyone at gaming forum GRcade who continue to selflessly support my efforts and the wider SKSP mission.”
The SKSP event continues to grow in popularity, having gathered support from a number of Scotland’s top games companies including Rockstar North and Blazing Griffin, as well as industry giants Codemasters UK, Playstation Access, Paradox Interactive and Capcom UK, who have donated prizes for entrants.
Edinburgh actor Tom Freeman, organiser of the event, said: “With plans afoot to transfer services to a flash new hospital in Little France, the work of the Sick Kids Friends Foundation will be vital in smoothing the transition from a building many people across the country will have strong emotional ties to. That’s why this year Sick Kids Save Point is pushing to have our best year ever.
“Sick Kids Save Point is the biggest charity gaming marathon in the UK. I’m proud we’ve raised around £72,000 for our local children’s hospital. This year we want to get that figure to £100,000 and show the world games are for everyone.
“Don’t believe the naysayers. Playing games for 24 hours is not easy. It’s not too late to sign up and take on this unique marathon challenge, playing games past the fun barrier and raising money to support sick children and their families.”
Rachel McKenzie, head of voluntary fundraising at the Sick Kids Friends Foundation, said: “It’s fantastic to see so many gamers like Neil take part in this year’s Sick Kids Save Point event – now the biggest charity games event in the UK.
“Thanks to our hardy participants, Sick Kids Save Point has helped raise a tremendous amount of money over the last five years and we’re extremely thankful to the individuals – and teams – who are getting involved this year as we try to raise a further £30,000. I would encourage any ambitious gamers out there to get involved.”
For more information about Sick Kids Save Point visit www.sickkidssavepoint.org or follow the event on twitter @SKsavepoint or on facebook at @SickKidsSavePoint.