This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused and live‑streaming fundraiser, an event dubbed Save Point. The initiative marks a significant step for the organization as it seeks to tap into the vibrant world of video games and online streaming to raise both awareness and funds for children in need. Fiona Baxter, the senior fundraising manager at Save the Children, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that the concept for Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the gaming community.
“Save Point was born out of a wider desire to engage more with the gaming community,” she explained. “We wanted to create a platform where gamers, content creators, and their audiences could rally around a common cause in a way that feels natural and enjoyable for them.” Unlike traditional charity challenges such as marathons or walk‑a‑thons, which can be physically demanding and limit participation, a gaming‑based fundraiser offers a more inclusive avenue for supporters. "Not everyone can run a marathon, so an event like this is a lot more accessible and allows us to showcase what a different type of supporter can do," Baxter said. By leveraging the popularity of live streaming platforms, the charity hopes to reach a demographic that may not typically engage with conventional fundraising activities.
The charity has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who has previously demonstrated a strong commitment to the cause by raising over £5,000 for Save the Children earlier this year. This partnership not only brings a recognizable face to the campaign but also underscores the potential of influencer‑driven philanthropy. Baxter emphasized that the collaboration is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy: "It would be incredible to reach more people in this community with information about the work we do and why it’s important.
I will consider it a huge success if we walk away from this event with a new crew of supporters who might want to game for us again because of their experience with us." Because Save Point is a pilot project for the charity, the team is keen to gather insights that will shape future gaming events. "There are also a lot of learning opportunities in this event. This is our first time doing this type of fundraiser, so the feedback we get will be invaluable and help us shape bigger and better gaming events year‑on‑year," Baxter noted.
The organization plans to analyze data on viewer engagement, donation spikes during key gameplay moments, and the overall sentiment expressed by participants. Baxter also highlighted the pivotal role that gamers and streamers play in modern fundraising, calling them the "unsung heroes of fundraising." She observed that the gaming sector is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support, blending entertainment with empathy. "There is an understanding among game‑lovers that we are a group of people who love stories, imagination and escaping to new worlds through the power of play.
By turning our love of gaming into a force for real‑world, lasting change, we’re demonstrating just how powerful and impactful the gaming community can be," she added. Save Point is integrated into Save the Children’s broader campaign titled “The One Delivery That Matters,” which launches in November 2026. This campaign aims to shift public focus from material gifts to essential deliveries that can make a tangible difference in children’s lives during the festive period. Baxter explained, "Absolutely anything you could think of can be delivered right to your door at the tap of a screen.
But for millions of children this Christmas, it’s not toys or treats they’re waiting for – it’s the deliveries that will save lives and protect childhoods." The event is scheduled to run over two days, from December 5 to December 6, 2026. During this window, participants can sign up to host their own fundraising livestreams, join community gaming sessions, or simply donate while watching their favorite creators play. Interested individuals are encouraged to register their interest through the provided link, where they will receive guidance on setting up a successful fundraising stream, tips on audience engagement, and technical support.
By blending the immersive allure of gaming with the urgency of humanitarian aid, Save the Children hopes to forge a new paradigm for charitable giving. The organization believes that the interactive nature of live streaming—where viewers can see real‑time donation totals, chat with streamers, and feel directly involved—creates a powerful emotional connection that traditional campaigns often lack. Looking ahead, Save the Children plans to expand its gaming initiatives beyond a single event. Baxter hinted at future collaborations with game developers for in‑game charity items, virtual concerts within popular titles, and even charitable e‑sports tournaments.
"We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible," she said. "If Save Point proves successful, we’ll explore ways to embed charitable giving into the very fabric of gaming experiences, making it a seamless part of how people play and interact online." In summary, Save Point represents a bold experiment that merges the worlds of philanthropy and interactive entertainment.
By inviting gamers, streamers, and their audiences to contribute to a cause that directly impacts vulnerable children, the charity aims to demonstrate that the power of play can be harnessed for profound, real‑world change. The event not only offers a fresh fundraising avenue but also serves as a learning platform for future initiatives, potentially setting a lasting precedent for how charities engage with the digital age.