Societies create a Mario Kart tournament to raise money for Scottish charities

Mario Kart tournament
(Pictured above) Stuart Wilson in front of the GCU Students' Association Building

Three different societies are hosting a Mario Kart tournament, with all proceeds going towards two Scottish charities.

Students from Radio Caley, Gaming Society and the ESports Society have collaborated on a Mario Kart tournament, a popular party game which involves multiplayer kart racing.

The tournament, which is open to all students, will be hosted in the GCU Students’ Association Re:Union Bar & Grill on Friday 29 November from 4pm to 10pm. Attendees will also have the chance to win some money as part of the tournament, all while supporting worthy causes such as the Beatson Cancer Charity and the Glasgow Children’s Hospital.

“We knew that we wanted to plan some sort of large event.” Explained Head of Events at Radio Caley, Stuart Wilson.

“We had something for Halloween and Christmas, but realised we had a bit of a gap in between. Last year, the GCU Gaming Society ran a Mario Kart tournament and they had between 60 and 80 attendees.”

He added: “It was a free event, but for this event we decided to make it a paid ticketed event and give people the chance to win some money. With that, we also wanted to include a charity fundraiser. We obviously want people to have fun, but we wanted to give it a bigger purpose.”

We’ve collaborated with the GCU Gaming Society and the GCU ESports Society (Caledonian Chargers). Radio Caley decide to choose Beatson Cancer Charity and the GCU ESports Society chose the Glasgow Children’s Hospital. The idea is to raise money and then divide it between the two charities.”

During the tournament, fundraising buckets will be found around the bar for spectators to donate some extra cash while enjoying the competition.

Stuart said: “We’re going to be hosting it in the Re:Union Bar & Grill, with the game being projected onto a large screen for everyone to see. It means four people can play at a time and spectators can watch in between turns. It also allows people to relax and maybe support the Re:Union Bar & Grill by getting some food and drinks.

We simply chose Mario Kart because it’s a popular game. It’s the type of game where you don’t need to necessarily be skilled in it since it’s more of a luck-based game, so it means that it gives everyone a fair chance of playing and getting involved.”

Tickets are priced at £3 and can be purchased on the GCU Students’ Association website

By Rachael McAlonan

Got a SCEBE or GSBS story? Email me at Rachael.McAlonan@gcu.ac.uk or connect with me on social media