Real estate agents in Sudbury will again play video games all night for charity

Staying up all night to play video games is something that might be frowned upon in some circles, but a group of real estate agents in Sudbury, Ont., will do just that to raise money for a local charity.

Building on a successful event last year, the Good Manors Real Estate Group is hosting a second version of what itcalls Game for Good, in which team members will take turns playing video games for 24 hours straight.

While they play, the Good Gamerz team will collect donations for the NEO Kids Foundation, which supports children's health care in northeastern Ontario.

"The donations make an impact on keeping children and youth close to home," said Anthony Keating, president and chief development officer with the foundations and volunteer groups at the Health Sciences North hospital, in a news release.

Justin Cousineau, a real estate agent at Good Manors and the team leader, saysthey managed to raise more than $13,000 for NEO Kids through their event last year.

"It's just fun. It's a really good time. Everybody was really excited about it," he said.

The group took inspiration from an event in the U.S. called Extra Life, in which gamers also play for 24 hours straight, raising funds for the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals.

As with that event, the Good Gamerzteam will stream their 24-hour gaming session live on the Twitch platform.

This year's event will take place the weekend of Oct. 19. Because it's near Halloween, Cousineau saysthe team members 15 people in all will be wearing costumes while they stay up all night to play.

And while they do take turns to play the games, he said taking a nap is frowned upon.

"That is against the rules," Cousineau says. "We shame anybody who falls asleep."

Last year, members of the Sudbury Wolves junior hockey team and the Sudbury Five pro basketball team dropped by to participate in the 24-hour gaming session. They played rounds of the latest NHL and NBA video games.

Cousineau says players from both teams are expected to return for this year's event.

In addition to the sports games, the team will play a wide variety of newer and older games throughout the night.

Cousineau sayspeople are welcome to drop by the event, which is taking place at Good Manors' offices at 238 Elm Street, to encourage the team.

He saystheir goal this year is to raise at least $20,000 for the NEO Kids Foundation.