Stuff4Charity

Stuff4Charity (S4C) is a commercial initiative of metaLAB Ltd[1]. It has many aims and objectives. Our ultimate objective is to fund the development and distribution of LifeStations[2], which in turn will educate poor and vulnerable children in Africa.

To be able to fund the development and distribution of LifeStations, S4C will be creating a donation scheme. This scheme will initially be requesting video games, PC games, and video game consoles. For any game received a percentage of it's resale value can either go to Comic Relief, NetDay[3] or an alternative charity of the well wishers choice. This will act as an incentive to donate their games. This donation scheme enables S4C to hold a competitive edge over existing sellers of unwanted games. Currently S4C is the only provider of this unique donation scheme in the gaming industry.

Video games - these will be sold to various individuals and organisations who want to own unwanted games. This will then create an income to fund the LifeStation project.

PC games – market research shows the same individuals and organisations who buy video games will also purchase PC games. This income will also generate funds for the LifeStation project.

Video game consoles - these will be adapted for educational use (called a LifeStation) – this will be refurbished in Africa therefore creating jobs. The consoles which are not on the white list (ie. cannot be refurbished into a LifeStation) will be sold to a suitable buyer in the UK. This income will also be used to finance further LifeStation developments.

The computer and video games industry is a mass market leisure activity. In the UK over 25 million dedicated gaming devices were sold during the last 10 years, with software sales exceeding 335 million for the same period. That's enough for 1 gaming device in every household, five games for every single person, and thirteen games for every household. The average British gamer today is in their mid 20's. However, with the spread of games played across sexes, ages and classes now being almost universal, a specific target market will not be necessary.

S4C projected short term sales (donations less unsellable items) are approximately ?? by the end of 6 months of trading. With projected medium term sales at ?? by the end of 18 months of trading. The Long term projected sales will reached ?? by the end of the third year of trading.

S4C will aim to expand on its recyclable product range over the next 3 years

[1]metaLAB Ltd is a UK ICT Research & Development company with strong links with the African Institute Meraka (www.meraka.org.za)

[2]An adapted video games console.

[3]A South African non profit organisation, who refurbish and deploy desktop computers to schools.