Falmouth University students to host 24-hour livestream for Cool Earth charity
06 December 2024
First-year students on Falmouth University’s Esports & Livestreaming course are teaming up with Cornwall-based environmental charity Cool Earth for a 24-hour livestream fundraiser.
Kicking off at 6pm on Friday 6 December, the team will be using their gaming skills and livestreaming knowledge to support Cool Earth’s mission to prevent deforestation through locally-led initiatives.
Gaming for good
The livestream is part of Jingle Jam 2024, the world’s largest gaming charity event. Hosted from Falmouth University’s cutting-edge esports lab, the stream will feature popular games such as Minecraft, Lethal Company, and Fortnite. Morgan James, producer of the student team, shared their excitement about the initiative:
"The idea of a 24-hour stream came along, and we all thought it would be a great way to stand out and create a big event. We’ll be using our university’s equipment to bring together diverse perspectives, camera angles, and live reactions. Even if something goes wrong, we’ve got backup plans—worst case, we’ll broadcast ourselves playing with a deck of cards!"
The team has set an initial fundraising target of £100, but they are hoping to exceed expectations and raise significant funds for Cool Earth. They are also looking to prove the concept for future charity partnerships.
A local partnership with global impact
Despite being an international NGO funded by over 70,000 individuals, Cool Earth’s office is tucked away in a corner of Falmouth’s Penryn Campus, making the collaboration a natural fit. Rebecca Leach from Cool Earth explained how the partnership began:
"When we were selected for Jingle Jam 2024, we realised the students’ expertise in livestreaming and gaming could help us take full advantage of this opportunity. This partnership allows us to raise funds while learning from the students’ technical skills and knowledge of the gaming world."
Cool Earth’s contributions to the event include live interactions with their Peruvian team member, Adri, who will join the stream via WhatsApp on Saturday at 1pm UK time. Adri is currently working with Asháninka communities in Peru, helping them document their stories for more authentic sharing.
Morgan highlighted the connection between esports and environmental responsibility:
"As esports students, we rely heavily on technology, which has a significant carbon footprint. Partnering with Cool Earth allows us to raise awareness and and gives people a way to help tackle the climate crisis."
Why Jingle Jam matters
Rebecca emphasised the importance of innovative fundraising methods like livestreaming:
"The fundraising landscape is tough, and gaming offers a way to deliver consistent messaging, build community, and encourage two-way conversations. In 2023, over £318.7 million was raised for various causes on interactive livestreaming platform Twitch alone."
Funds raised during Jingle Jam will support Cool Earth’s initiatives, including regenerative agriculture, sustainable income projects, and infrastructure improvements in rainforest communities. These projects empower local people to combat deforestation while enhancing their quality of life.
Join the stream
The livestream begins on Friday at 6pm and will run for 24 hours, offering viewers the chance to engage, donate, and learn about Cool Earth’s vital work.
External links
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