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PopCap Games marathon to raise money for charity: water

by: Mike -
More On: Solitaire Blitz
Katheen Henkel and Laura Rich, from Oakland, New Jersey and Cardiff, Wales, respectively, will attempt a 24 hour gaming marathon on PopCap Games' Solitaire Blitz. The duo is expected to raise $90,000 towards the charity that provides clean drinking water for people in developing countries.

Although the current record for playing a video card game is 24 hours, Henkel and Rich are going to aim for 30. The event will begin at 9 a.m. ET tomorrow, and continues as long as the pair can handle it. 

SEATTLE, Washington and DUBLIN, Ireland – June 25, 2012 — PopCap Games, a division of EA and maker of some of the world’s most popular video games, will stage a two-city marathon kicking off tomorrow at 9 a.m. EST / 2 p.m. GMT expected to generate at least $90,000 for the leading water non-profit organization, charity: water. The transatlantic event will establish a new Guinness World Records® mark for Longest Videogames Marathon Playing a Card Game, if one or both participants succeed in playing 24 or more consecutive hours of PopCap’s latest hit social game, Solitaire Blitz.
 
Solitaire Blitz players Kathleen Henkel and Laura Rich, from Oakland, New Jersey and Cardiff, Wales, respectively, have utilized a unique pledge mechanism created for the occasion to garner tens of thousands of dollars in pledged charitable contributions from more than 1,400 people around the world. Combined with PopCap’s own pledges of $5,000 per player, Ms. Henkel and Ms. Rich stand to raise over $90,000.
 
“The Guinness World Records Gamer’s Edition is packed full of gamers doing amazing things, so we’re happy to hear of Laura and Kathleen taking on the challenge to play for over 30 hours,” said Gaz Deaves, Gaming Editor for Guinness World Records. “A gaming marathon is a great test of personal stamina and it will be an incredible achievement if they make it to the end.”
 
Ms. Henkel will be playing Solitaire Blitz in a storefront operated by the Roger Smith Hotel in mid-town Manhattan featuring floor-to-ceiling windows on both Lexington Avenue and 47th Street, while Ms. Rich will conduct her attempt at the SEA LIFE London Aquarium on the River Thames. Supporters are invited to stop by either location and cheer the players on, make an on-site contribution to charity: water, and possibly receive one or more free items being given out at the event by PopCap®representatives. Viewers will also be able to watch Kathleen and Laura as they take on the challenge, with the action being broadcast live through the official Solitaire Blitz Live Event page on Facebook.
 
About charity: water
charity: water is a non-profit organization bringing clean and safe drinking water to people in developing nations. We raise awareness about the one billion people living without life’s most basic need and invite others to join our mission. Then, we use 100% of public donations to fund clean water solutions in areas of greatest need.