Sooooo... I've been playing Sonic games for a good 3/4 of my life. Despite the joy and fun times, there has also been pain, suffering and moments of glitching through walls to an undeserved death.

It's a love / hate thing.

With a new movie based on the blue hedgehog on the horizon, I thought (as any normal person would) "I'll play as many Sonic games in 24 hours as I can, and raise money for CALM". And so here we are. 

TL;DR - on the 14th of February I'll play Sonic and nothing but Sonic for 24 hours straight, over on https://www.twitch.tv/richieinfadels. Please tune in, give money and check in on my melting face.

So, who are CALM?

The Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) is leading a movement against suicide, the single biggest killer of men under 45 in the UK. Their goal is a life less miserable for you, your friends, your family and for all men.

CALM PROVIDES

• A free and anonymous helpline 0800 58 58 58 and webchat (5pm-12am daily) staffed by trained professionals
• Bereavement support 
• A website www.theCALMzone.net with inspiring content by men for men
• Campaigns tackling stereotypes of masculinity, suicide and male mental health. 

Help us save lives.

As someone who has long battled with their own metal wellbeing, I can say that the work of CALM can not be under estimated. That knowledge of having a safe place to air your feelings without judgement whilst allowing yourself to be heard... well, you can't put a price on that.

Here comes the caveat...

You can put a price on that! Through giving a little, or maybe a lot, your money can help the good people at CALM save lives. Suicide is unnecessary and avoidable, and the work CALM do is pivotal to that. 

I hope to see some of you all on the 14th Feb.

https://www.twitch.tv/richieinfadels

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FAQ

> Err...what are you trying to do?

Raise money for the mental health charity CALM by playing Sonic the Hedgehog games... a lot of Sonic the Hedgehog games. The Sonic Movie comes out the same day, so it seemed like a good idea...in my head at least.

> What are you playing? In what order? A game an hour? How? What?

I'm aiming to play the games in chronological order, starting with the first Megadrive game from 1990 and then...onwards. I shall play each one to completion (not too fussed about the chaos emeralds) and then move on to the next one, and the next one...until the clock hits 24 hours and I break down in tears.

> How will you be playing these? Are you playing all the different formats?

All the Megadrive, Master System, Dreamcast era games I have the original hardware for. I have a GameCube for Sonic Heroes (if I get that far). Generally, I'll have it covered. For the handheld games (like Game Gear, GBA... that stuff) I'll resort to emulating, just so I can stream them to some level of viewable quality.

> What do you mean "streaming"?

The stream will take place on my Twitch channel twitch.tv/richieinfadels. You'll be able to see the stream from the game + my face + some other bits n bobs. There will be live chat as well, so have fun with that. I AIM TO GIVE THE FULL INTERACTIVE EXPERIENCE. *cough*

> Can we donate during the stream?

Sure! I'm planning some stretch goals, so when we raise certain amounts, certain... let's say "things" will happen. I'll be sure to shout you out, big you up and give you the adulation you deserve. More on that nearer the time.

Generally, "Twitch streamers" tend to do these things to their own ends, but I don't need subs or bits or any of that other fluff, just please donate to CALM and enjoy watching me wallow in my own extended adolescence. 

Thanks again - speak soon!