Gaming for good: How GamesAid is giving back

GamesAid is a UK-based umbrella charity organisation which is run by the video game industry. Helping a variety of charities financially, it fundraises through different events, such as charity game sales, game championships, and galas for disabled and disadvantaged young people and children. 

Members of GamesAid, who all work in the UK’s games industry, vote annually in an election to determine which charities it supports for the year. GamesAid opts to support smaller charities rather than better-funded ones, with their criteria for chosen charities involving a turnover of less than £3 million.  

Additionally, these charities must raise money for disadvantaged young people or children in the UK, and spend less than 30% of their running costs on administration.  

GamesAid is run by volunteer trustees from the games industry

The organisation distributes its annual profits equally between the charities which receive the highest number of votes, and profits can also be used for career guidance and sport. 

Although the figures for 2025 have not yet been released, GamesAid raised £150,000 in 2023/24. This marked an impressive £5.65 million raised by the charity since it was founded, and was broken down into six donations of £30,000 to Access Sport, Autistica, AFK, Solving Kids Cancer, and Game Therapy UK.  

It was also an increase from the £120,000 which the organisation raised in the previous year, when AFK, Autistica Play, Lifelites, Solving Kids Cancer, The Clock Tower Sanctuary, and Winston’s Wish were the chosen charities.  

Regarding this achievement, George Osborn, Chair of GamesAid, stated: “We want to say an enormous thank you to every person and company who has backed GamesAid over the past 12 months. The unwavering support for the charity from the community has delivered long-lasting benefits to young people across the country – demonstrating the transformative, life-changing power of video games in the process.” 

GamesAid is run by volunteer trustees from the games industry, and it is free for people who work in the UK games industry or who study a university course related to the games industry to sign up as a member of GamesAid. Members can nominate causes to support. 

For 2025/26, GamesAid members have selected the following charities to support: Solving Kids’ Cancer UK, Rays of Sunshine, Autistica, and AFK.  

As well as donations, money-raising initiatives involve digital download bundles and social or sporting events in the industry, such as sponsored runs, cycles, and swims. For example, in 2025, GamesAid hosted a 2-hour Go Karting endurance race at Whilton Mill, in Daventry, harnessing competitive spirit across the teams to raise money for good causes.  

GamesAid hosts other events, which they are always on the lookout to be sponsored for, including golf and spa days, poker nights, black-tie fundraising galas, and comedy evenings. 

GamesAid also has its own eBay store, highlighting just how many opportunities it provides for anyone to raise money for the charities it supports. This eBay store usually sells game memorabilia, which has been generously donated. Their 12 days of Christmas auction has previously involved: a Cyberpunk jacket, special editions of games, ‘Meet the Writer’ events, and art books. 

George Osborn also said: 

”GamesAid has played a significant role in supporting the work of children’s charities…”

This was “across the UK, generating over £4m in donations for causes up and down the land over 16 years. By joining GamesAid to nominate a charity or support our cause, you help to demonstrate the power our industry has to do good and make lives better for people who need it most.” 

As well as being dedicated to improving lives, GamesAid, as the only fully democratic charity in the games space, endeavours to provide a sense of community for people in the gaming industry. Thus, it is a perfect fit for those who are looking to use their job or passion for charitable causes.