Fantasy gamers make children’s wishes come true

UK (SANEPR.com) February 13, 2009 -- Goblins, adventurers and dragons battled it out in New Milton as enthusiasts gathered from the UK and beyond for an annual gaming convention.

Since its beginnings a decade ago Conception, which takes place annually at the Hoburne Naish Holiday Park, has attracted thousands of visitors and raised more than £67,000 for various local charities.

This year’s five-day event, run in conjunction with New Milton Round Table, raised £10,000 for Round Table Children’s Wish – a charity granting wishes for children with life-threatening illnesses. Conception has raised £36,500 for the Bournemouth-based charity in the past 10 years.

More than 400 gamers of all ages attended Conception, which included dozens of role-play, board and card games. Dungeons and Dragons was among the most popular games on offer, others include Traveller, Star Wars, Call of Cthulhu, Spycraft and Savage Worlds.

Co-organiser Julian Hayley, of New Milton Round Table and Bournemouth Berserkers, said: “This year’s convention went extremely well and we’re thrilled to have raised so much for charity. Gaming is like a form of acting – it is true escapism. Games on offer included live action role playing which involved people dressing in costume and other varied tabletop role-playing games. Gamers came from all over the UK as well as Holland and the USA.

“Many of our gamers have children of their own so we’re delighted to support a charity that is both local and close to our heart.”
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Julie Atherton, fundraising co-ordinator at Round Table Children’s Wish, said: The support given by Conception has always been extremely generous and helped so many children. The whole weekend is completely different and there is something very special about seeing adults having such a good time in this very unique way whilst raising such an enormous amount for the charity. We are very grateful to everyone involved.”

Money raised at Conception has granted wishes for dozens of children. Recent wishes include meeting Katherine Jenkins, a surprise visit from a much-missed friend flown in from Australia and one child is due to go and see the magic of the Northern Lights in Sweden.

This year’s event also contributed £2,000 to New Milton Round Table and £2,000 for Help for Heroes (the charity supported by Hoburne Naish Holiday Parks this year).

Local gaming clubs Poole-based ‘Have Dice’ and ‘Bournemouth Berserkers’ help organise Conception. Other charities to have benefited in previous years include the Alzheimer’s Society, Macmillan Cancer Support, the Royal Bournemouth Hospital Maternity Unit, Boscombe Nursery Group, Julia’s House, the Wessex Autistic Society, New Milton Round Table charities and Naomi House.