FUNDRAISING of the future happened when gamers united for 24 hours to raise money for little Mayzi Price in a live gaming stream.

Friends and family of Mayzi’s godmother, Jade Sparks, spent a day and night running an interactive games session to raise more than £300 towards the £30,000 needed for her operation to help her walk.

Mayzi, pictured, from Purfleet, described as very bright and bubbly, has shown a fighting spirit since being diagnosed with cerebral palsy and brain damage at 16 months.

Jade’s brother, Alex Sparks, 27, of Shepeshall, Basildon, set up the event with four of his friends.

He said: “It was the first time we tried to do a fundraiser.

“We’ve been streaming since last September. It was brilliant by the end when friends and family came in to cheer us along. It is a long time, but it was worth it for Mayzi.”

Friend Luke East, 25, of Premier Avenue, Grays, who gained a degree in video games at South Essex College and now works for Apple at Lakeside, described how 200 people from around the world tuned into the event.

He said: “Thousands of people tune into these events sometimes – this was our first one so we weren’t sure how it would go.

“Some people do it so well they end up with a Lamborghini and a penthouse! Mayzi’s absolutely adorable, so happy and brave, so we wanted to do something.”

The unusual way of raising money is taking off among the younger generation, with social media platforms such as Twitch TV used to bring in funds.

Twitch – the gamers’ platform of choice – brings in viewers from around the world and donors, too.

Followers can watch both the gamers and the game in a four-screen split TV and make comments in a chat bar.

Video gaming is increasingly becoming a career of choice for young professionals, with some young people getting the chance to live the life of their dreams – and get paid to play video games.

To donate to Mayzi’s operation, visit gofundme.com/ mayzi-smiracles