A GROUP of friends are holding a computer game marathon to raise money for a children’s charity.

Chaosnova, an online gaming team from Benfleet, will continously play popular online game Quake to raise money for ChildsPlay.

During the QuakeAThon, the group aim to complete the entire series of the game, in which sees players try to find their through medieval environments while battling monsters using a variety of weapons, over four days.

The ten friends, who are all aged between 23 and 30, began the marathon on Sunday and will take it in turns.

Group member Dave Noe, who is holding the marathon at his home in Overton Road, said each member played for as long as possible and the current record for an individual was seven hours.

He said: “We are on the last part of the second game now, so it will most likely take two more days to complete.

"We are hoping to finish the QuakeAThon by Friday. But it is going great so far.

"Last year, we organised a similar event and raised £300. This year we have already raised £146 and we’re hoping to raise £500 altogether.”

Chris Goodchild, 26, who is also taking part, added: “What we’ve decided to do this year is to re-do everything, but take everything up by a difficulty level, making it harder, and therefore, longer to complete.”

All money raised will be donated to ChildsPlay, which donates toys and games to children in hospitals.

Mr Noe, 25, said: “ChildsPlay is a brilliant charity.

“The charity helps pick young people up when they have been admitted to hospital or after an operation. It just helps brighten up their day.”

To sponsor the players, visit www.childsplaycharity.org/events