Victoria video game marathon raises $1.8 million for children’s charity

Last week, gamers in Victoria took to streaming sites to deliver hope to children in need.

The Desert Bus for Hope fundraiser sees a group of gamers take to the internet every year to play one of the most monotonous video games ever created—Desert Bus.

In the game, players are required to drive a bus for eight hours on an empty road to score a single point.

While that may not sound like the most exciting viewing experience, the Desert Bus for Hope fundraiser pairs the game’s livestream with activities, games and performances for audiences to enjoy while the road trip continues.

Each year, a team of gamers and volunteers will continue the adventure until people stop donating. This year, that adventure continued for 169 hours.

With the fundraiser celebrating its 20th year anniversary in 2026, Desert Bus for Hope planned one of its biggest events to date.

Bringing together a team of more than 175 volunteers, including event organizers, entertainers, supporting volunteers, chat moderators and video team strike members, Desert Bus for Hope 2026 was its most successful to date.

The team was able to raise over $1.8 million in donations for Child’s Play Charity, which delivers therapeutic games and technology to pediatric hospitals to improve patients’ lives through the power of play.

Prizes were donated by 18 corporate sponsors and 86 artisans and crafters who created one-of-a-kind pieces that were auctioned off and offered in giveaways.

The stream was watched by an incredible average of more than 3,000 viewers for each of the 169 hours the fundraiser was live, with viewers submitting thousands of challenges to entertainers, creating hundreds of original pieces of artwork and contributing more than 500,000 chat messages.

The 2026 adventure finally ended at 5:05 p.m. on Friday, October 30th.

Overall, the fundraiser saw more than 5,000 contributors, with that number rising to a crescendo in the final hours and surpassing the fundraiser’s previous record of money earned set in 2024.

“We come here every year and put in a ton of work—it’s a lot—some for the entire year, some for a couple of weeks,” said James Turner, Desert Bus for Hope organizer and entertainer.

“So thank you to each and every one of the 5,000 of you who donated and the tens of thousands who have watched. What a phenomenal way to spend the end of October.”

He went on to say that the fundraiser could not continue without those who donate and watch the stream and that he is excited for the fundraiser’s return next year.

The total that the Desert Bus for Hope has raised for Child’s Play Charity now sits at more than $20 million.

For the curious gamers, the fundraiser also set a record for the number of Desert Bus game points scored, 19 overall, and had the longest streak of consecutive points, 15, without a single bus breakdown.

The fundraiser said this is likely an all-time record for the titular video game.

Desert Bus for Hope organizers say they are grateful for the generosity of the audience, donors, sponsors and volunteers, who together enable the work that Child’s Play Charity does to improve the life of children in hospitals.

Were you able to catch the marathon this year? Tune in to Desert Bus for Hope 2027 to be a part of the action next year!