An orphanage in Nepal has received more than €1,000 thanks to fundraising organised by a Malta-based iGaming company.

Sixteen representatives from iGaming affiliates and operators took part in a video combat game, hosted at November’s Sigma event by Blexr, a performance marketing company located in Sliema.

Every participating company made a donation, generating a prize pool of €1,100.

Massimo Matteazzi, from L&L Europe Ltd, was crowned Blexr Brand Wars champ and decided to send the charity purse to the Supportive Self-Sustaining Orphan Home, in the village of Phutung, based in the outer regions of Kathmandu.

The home houses 12 children, the majority of whom lost their parents during an earthquake that shook India in 2015.

The orphanage relies heavily on volunteers and donations and Blexr’s head of commercial Lee Gwilliam said the company was happy to help feed, clothe, and support the education of these children.

“We thought Sigma 2017 was a great opportunity to show how the global iGaming community can have wider reach in its charity efforts too," he said. 

“When Massimo chose the orphanage as his chosen donation for winning our competition we were very pleased, as the money, going to a small offline charity, will have a direct impact on these children’s lives.”

Mr Matteazzi said he had come across the orphanage while on a “three-week motorcycle adventure in the Himalayas” three years ago.

“At the end of the trip my friend and I visited this orphanage, where another friend of mine had previously spent three months volunteering and helping the kids.

“It was a nice place and interesting. They try to be self-sustained, growing veggies and keeping animals, plus they use solar panels to charge a battery in order to have light at night.

“The kids were lovely, and surely they need a lot of help.”

Buffalo Partners, All British, Deckmedia, LVBET, Bethard, Branders, Funky Affiliates and Cashmio all donated towards the prize pool.