War Child UK is asking gaming fans to ready their decks, grab their play mats, and get ready for the return of the charity’s Gathering for Good auction, with this year being bigger, bolder, and more legendary than ever.

From August 4 – 17, War Child’s annual charity auction and prize draw returns, uniting Final Fantasy and Magic: The Gathering fans from across the multiverse to collect one-of-a-kind cards, and support children whose lives have been torn apart by conflict.

You can see the auction here.

This year’s event is built around Magic the Gathering’s latest and biggest ever set, Final Fantasy, with legendary voices from the game collaborating with War Child.

The event is supported by War Child’s strategic partner Jingle Jam, with the two organisations joining forces to bring together communities with a passion for games and for giving in new and exciting ways.

Iconic actors, including Ben Starr (Clive, Final Fantasy XVI), Briana White (Aerith, Final Fantasy VII Remake), Matt Mercer (Vincent, Final Fantasy V!! Remake) and Peter Bramhill (Thancred, Final Fantasy XIV), have all signed limited-edition Magic cards, which fans will be in with a chance of claiming in the online charity auction.

Georgia Paton, Gaming Partnerships Lead at War Child UK said; “As soon as we learned about Magic: The Gathering’s upcoming Final Fantasy Universes Beyond set, we knew it had to be the theme of our next Gathering for Good campaign.

“The Magic and Final Fantasy fandoms are some of the most loyal and passionate communities in the world, and their love and enthusiasm has already extended to supporting War Child.

“We are tremendously grateful to the voice actors who have signed cards and supported the campaign, as well as the creators and stores who are planning to fundraise as part of the event.

“Special thanks go to the fundraising giant, Jingle Jam, for partnering with War Child on this campaign.

“Together, we can reach gaming communities across the globe through a love of games, creators, and the common goal of making the world a better place.”

For fans wanting to draw a winning hand, they can enter the £5 prize draw with one lucky entrant set to win the entire collection of these signed cards.

Other items up for grabs in the auction include signed posters from the franchise, art, and bespoke playmats donated by Ultra-PRO. 

Rich Keith, Chair of Jingle Jam, said: “Jingle Jam is a long-term partner to War Child because we share the belief that no child’s life should be torn apart by conflict.

“Jingle Jam works by partnering with games, creators and communities to build new and innovative giving traditions, so we’re delighted to be working with War Child to help build greater connectivity with such generous and passionate fandoms as MTG and Final Fantasy.”

In support of the auction, Chaos Cards Tabletop Gaming Centre in Folkestone, Kent will be hosting a Gathering For Good event to fundraise on behalf of War Child.

Fans can join the team on Wednesday, August 13, at Chaos Cards to take part in the tournament.

Everyone who enters the tournament will also get one free entry into the War Child Gathering for Good prize draw. 

Peter Bramhill, the voice of Thancred in Final Fantasy XIV and a key coordinator in this campaign, when asked about the collaboration continued: “Games have a unique way of bringing people together.

“They tell stories of hope, resilience, and courage – themes that feel especially powerful when paired with War Child’s incredible mission.

“Signing these cards for Gathering for Good was a no-brainer for me. If our work in Final Fantasy can help inspire fans to support children around the world whose lives have been impacted by conflict, then that’s the kind of magic that truly matters and I want to be a part of.”

War Child’s work believes in the transformative power of play, with the money from the auction supporting War Child’s mission to protect, educate, and empower children affected by war.

Through the organisation’s programmes, including play-based programmes, War Child helps children caught in conflict rediscover joy, build resilience, and access vital education, while processing their trauma. 

So, whether a seasoned Planeswalker, a Warrior of Light, or just here for the fantasy, now’s the time for gamers to bring magic to play.

For more details and to enter the auction, the website here.