Minecraft Marathon In Aid of AbleGamers Charity

iomart's dedicated server hosting specialist RapidSwitch is powering a 72-hour Minecraft marathon this weekend which will raise money for a major US disability charity.

RapidSwitch is providing the server hardware and connectivity to enable CreeperHost  to stage MineThon - a worldwide online fundraiser for AbleGamers, the not-for-profit US organisation which uses video games to empower children and adults with disabilities.

CreeperHost has flown in seven players from America including Slowpoke101, direwolf20 and guudelp to take part in the event at their offices in Grantham, Lincolnshire.  Gamers who donate $2.99 or more will be able to join MineThon and access Minecraft mini-games on CreeperHost's 1000-player servers.

CreeperHost director Paul Taylor said: "We are proud to be staging MineThon from the UK this year after last year's connectivity issues in the US. The event will be streamed live so we're hoping to mobilise gamers worldwide to take part and help raise money for a fantastic charity."

The money donated will be used by AbleGamers to work with developers to design and publish accessible video games and gaming equipment for people with disability.

Neil Christie, Commercial Director for RapidSwitch, added: "The performance of our hardware and the speed of our network will ensure gamers taking part in MineThon have the ultimate Minecraft gaming experience."

This fourth MineThon event starts at 1100 hrs GMT (0600 hrs EST) on July 25 and will be live streamed via Twitch, the world's leading video platform and community for gamers.

Ethan Smith, MineThon's Founder and Event Co-ordinator, explained: "There are over 33 million gamers with disabilities, and gamers, developers and publishers frequently overlook them. This year, MineThon is going to take a good look; this year, MineThon is going to help."

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