"Hurrah" I only need to play long enough to screen grab.

We imagine that, compared to interminable hours spent playing the "classic" Desert Bus, the rest of the year must just fly by for the stouthearted team behind the annual Child's Play fund-raising initiative Desert Bus for Hope.

But here we are again, and even now a team of drivers are shuttling back and forth across the virtual desert, racking up 65 hours and USD $65,000 in donations so far.

Desert Bus is the notorious bus driving sim included in magicians Penn and Teller's 1995 compilation Smoke and Mirrors. A mixture of reaction to anti-gaming hysteria of the time, cruel sense of humour, and development hell resulted in a real time, low res, incredibly boring drive between Arizona and Nevada.

Each year comedy group LoadingReadyRun sacrifice their time and sanity to play the game non-stop, raising cash for Penny Arcade's Childs Play scheme, which brings toys and games to hospitalised children. You should know that; Child's Play has become the gamer's charity of choice.

Forumite genesysgen2 has done a bit more than throw a dollar in the collective hat this year; he's put together a playable web version of what is frequently (if controversially) called the worst game ever made. Have a go and see for yourself what the LoadingReadyRun team are suffering in the name of charity.

Head on over to the Desert Bus for Hope website to donate, view the webcam or live feed, join the chat, or just look on in wonder.