UK Entertainment Software Charity Announces Plans 2

The UK-based, game specific Entertainment Software Charity (ESC), which wounded in 2000, the Entertainment Software Charity and "created to use the popularity of gaming to help give back to those less fortunate", has unveiled new details of its year ahead. These include many new initiatives, fundraising activities and a new "Friends of the ESC" industry membership scheme, which includes both an individual £10 annual membership, and a £1,000 Corporate Membership, to help build a membership base for the worthy charity. In addition, in the summer of 2006, the ESC will conduct an election of three new Trustees from the enlarged membership to sit alongside the existing four Trustees. The Trustees are responsible for deciding which of the numerous charities and appeals should be allocated funds. The charity is also still helping the London-based school the Paddington Academy, for which it has pledged £1.5m for its building, and also plans new or repeat events including a golf day, participation in the Formula One Grand Prix Ball, and a repeat climb of Mount Kilimanjaro by enterprising UK game industry figures. More information will be available at the official ESC website in the near future. In addition, and following on from the success of previous PlayStation and Xbox charity game packs, the ESC is finalising plans with publishers in the UK whereby net revenue from single titles will go directly to the ESC's funds. "With all these events and new initiatives we have planned, this will be an extremely busy year for the ESC," said Mark Strachan, CEO of the Entertainment Software Charity. "It's gratifying to see there's also lots of activity being created by individuals from the games industry. I have always felt it important that the whole industry is involved in our work and hope the Friends of the ESC initiative will further encourage this type of involvement from companies and individuals."