Glenn McGrath Launches Online Charity Game
22 January 2015 at 10:02 am
Australian sporting legend and cancer campaigner, Glenn McGrath, has turned to online gaming to raise money for his charity.
The McGrath Foundation launched what it calls Australia’s first online cricket tournament, the McGrath Foundation Digital Cup, this week as a unique fundraiser.
The charity said the move would “bring gamification to fundraising on a scale not yet seen in Australia”.
McGrath said the launch of the game would coincide with the foundation’s 10th birthday.
“At the McGrath Foundation we don’t just like cricket, we love it. So, in our tenth anniversary year it’s exciting to be extending our cricket heritage with an awesome, online cricket tournament that anyone can play,” McGrath said.
“I’m encouraging everyone to join me in stepping up to the digital crease for a chance to win great prizes, while raising funds for the McGrath Foundation.”
The Foundation’s CEO, Petra Buchanan said the online game would take advantage of the growth in the use of handheld devices.
“More people than ever need the support of a breast care nurse so increasingly we are looking for innovative ways to raise vital funds.
“Trialling new innovations like gamification, through the McGrath Foundation Digital Cup, puts the ‘fun’ into fundraising while also allowing us to reach a greater audience as gaming goes mainstream,” Buchanan said.
People who play the game will have the opportunity to take on their friends as well as cricket greats, like Glenn McGrath, Michael Bevan, Darren Lehmann and Adam Hollioake amongst others, for the chance to beat them at their own game and win prizes including tickets to the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015, televisions, travel and BP fuel vouchers.
The Foundation said everyone taking part in the McGrath Foundation Digital Cup is given a chance to bat, bowl and field by signing up as either a ‘coach' or a ‘player’. Coaches are required to give a $30 donation to the McGrath Foundation then invite their friends by email or Facebook to create a team of 11 players. The selected teammates must donate $10 to play.
All funds raised will go towards placing McGrath Breast Care Nurses in communities across Australia. In 2015 the McGrath Foundation said it has an ambitious target of increasing the number of nurses to 110 to support 10,000 families through breast cancer.
To sign up visit mfdigitalcup.com.au between 20th January and 13th February for unlimited pre-match practice before the tournament runs from 14th February until 28th February.
