This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a two‑day event dubbed Save Point. The campaign, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, merges the excitement of video games with live streaming to rally donations for children in need during the most vulnerable time of the year.
Fiona Baxter, the organization’s senior fundraising manager, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that Save Point originated from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the gaming community. “We wanted a way to reach gamers and streamers in a format that feels natural to them,” she explained.
“Not everyone can sign up for a marathon or a long‑distance bike ride, but a gaming marathon is far more inclusive, allowing a wider range of supporters to take part and showcase what a different kind of donor can achieve.” The event will be anchored by popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped Save the Children raise over £5,000 earlier in the year. Baxter emphasized that the partnership is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to cultivate relationships with influencers and everyday gamers alike. “If we can introduce more people in this space to the work we do and why it matters, we’ll have built a sustainable pipeline of supporters who might choose to game for us again,” she said. “Success for us will be measured not only by the amount raised but by the new community of advocates we gain.” Because this is Save Children’s first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, Baxter highlighted the learning potential embedded in the event.
“The feedback we collect will be priceless,” she noted. “It will help us refine the format, improve the technical setup, and ultimately scale up to larger, more ambitious gaming events in future years.” Baxter also praised gamers and streamers as “the unsung heroes of fundraising,” observing that the gaming world is setting a fresh, innovative standard for charitable support.
She pointed out that many gamers share a love for narrative, imagination, and escapism, and that channeling that passion into real‑world impact demonstrates the sector’s capacity for meaningful change. “When we turn our enthusiasm for play into a force for lasting, tangible improvement, we prove just how powerful the gaming community can be,” she asserted. Save Point is integrated into the broader “The One Delivery That Matters” campaign, which launches in November 2026.
The campaign seeks to shift the focus of the holiday season from material gifts to essential deliveries—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter—that millions of children will be awaiting instead of toys. Baxter illustrated the contrast vividly: “Anyone can order a package with a click of a button, but for many children this Christmas, the parcels they need are not toys; they are life‑saving supplies that protect their childhoods.” Participants can join Save Point by registering their interest through the provided link, which will also supply guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream. The charity encourages both seasoned streamers and newcomers to get involved, offering resources such as donation overlays, chat prompts, and suggested donation tiers to make the process as seamless as possible. Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, Save Point aims to foster a sense of community among gamers who share a common purpose.
By creating a shared experience—players streaming their favorite titles, viewers cheering them on, and donors contributing in real time—the event hopes to illustrate how digital entertainment can be harnessed for social good. Baxter envisions a future where similar events become a regular fixture on the charity calendar, each iteration growing in scale and impact. The choice of a gaming marathon also reflects broader trends in philanthropy, where digital platforms are increasingly leveraged to reach younger, tech‑savvy audiences. According to recent industry reports, charitable livestreams have seen exponential growth, with some events generating millions of pounds in just a few hours.
Save Children’s entry into this space signals its recognition of these shifting donor behaviours and its willingness to innovate. In addition to the live streams, the organization plans to produce supplemental content—such as behind‑the‑scenes videos, interviews with participating gamers, and updates on how the raised funds are being allocated to children in crisis. This multi‑layered approach ensures transparency and keeps donors engaged long after the event concludes. Overall, Save Point represents a strategic pivot for Save the Children, marrying the immersive world of gaming with the urgent mission of delivering essential aid to children worldwide.
By tapping into the creativity, enthusiasm, and generosity of the gaming community, the charity hopes to set a new benchmark for how charitable causes can be championed in the digital age. The event will run from the evening of December 5 through to the early hours of December 6, 2026. Those interested in taking part can sign up via the official Save Point registration page, where they will receive step‑by‑step instructions on how to set up their livestream, promote their fundraising goals, and maximize viewer engagement.
Through this innovative blend of play and philanthropy, Save the Children aims to deliver not just gifts, but hope, health, and safety to children who need it most this holiday season.