GAMING fanatic Martin Appleby is preparing to do a 24-hour live role-play gaming challenge to raise much needed funds for Prospect Hospice.

After doing a similar challenge last year, he wanted to combine his love of gaming by playing two of his favourite games and supporting his wife Barbara by raising money for the charity that employs her.

She has worked at Prospect Hospice for the last two and a half years and is the data protection officer.

Martin, 63, explained: “About a year ago, I did one for the same cause so I decided to do it again this year. There will be two different games played for around 12 hours each. The games will be Baldur’s Gate three and Greed Fall.”

Both are story-based fantasy games.

“I am helping to raise money for end-of-life care for Prospect Hospice because the nurses do an amazing job for the families," he said. "The care given at the centre matters to the people it helps through difficult times. As my wife works there I know it’s a difficult situation so she is all for me doing it.

Martin, of Deansway, Chippenham, will settle in to start his challenge on Thursday at 10 am and play through the night to Friday morning.

Barbara said: “I think it’s great he’s doing it as we don’t live in the hospice area, he only knows about it from my work.

"It’s a very small hospice so all the money helps and every penny counts. Especially at this time when charities are struggling to fundraise because of Covid.

“Martin likes his gaming. I’m not really interested, it’s not my bag shall we say, but I generally do the support and provide Martin with drinks and snacks while he is doing it. I will watch some of it on the livestream while he is gaming as well.”

Prospect Hospice looks after and offers family support for thousands of people in Swindon each year and is free to all who need it. It costs millions of pounds to provide care and services.

After the pandemic hit earlier this year the hospice launched an urgent appeal in July to fill a £2m funding black hole. Within two months it had already passed the halfway mark.

The charity, which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary, says it costs almost £17,200 a day to run its services during the pandemic, with costs up as nurses visit patients individually. The main hospice building in Wroughton has remained open throughout the pandemic but many staff have been deployed to the community.

Martin hopes to raise over £200 for the charity. To donate go to justgiving.com/fundraising/martin-appleby3