As we hasten towards the end of the year, and Christmas looms in the horizon, up in the cold dark north of Canada, a group of intrepid Canadians prepare themselves to submit themselves to various forms of torture to raise funds for the Child’s Play charity. In order to raise money these brave people commit themselves to play the most boring game in the world, Desert Bus (http://j.mp/cG-Desert-Bus) for as long as donations make them. In the five years that this trip has been undertaken, more than $500,000 has been raised to bring games to sick children in hospitals around the world. As we go to press, by the time this year’s journey is complete, the team are on track to have raised more than $200,000 this year alone.

The Child’s Play charity is entering its seventh year of operation (see http://www.catholic.geek.nz/Blog/?p=196 for our rundown of the charity last year) and as always it’s a fantastic reminder that geeks have a social conscience too. In 2010, nearly $2,300,000 was raised and already in 2011 the total is approaching the million dollar mark.

If you’d like to participate this year, there is plenty of ways to donate, but for something a little different, consider the Humble Bundle (http://www.humblebundle.com) – by buying a set of games as a gift, you can donate a percentage of the amount you pay to Child’s Play – getting a great gift and supporting a great charity at the same time! The next bundle of games should be available before Christmas.

So, this year, rather than getting caught up in the commercialism of Christmas, the team at Catholic Geek would like you to again think of the children, and consider donating to the Child’s Play charity – giving is child’s play!