This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, branded “Save Point.” The event, which blends video‑game play with live‑streamed charity drives, aims to tap into the enthusiasm of gamers worldwide and translate that energy into tangible support for children in need. Fiona Baxter, the organization’s senior fundraising manager, 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. “We wanted a platform that would let us interact with gamers not just as occasional donors but as active partners in our mission,” Baxter explained. “Traditional fundraising events, like marathons, are fantastic, but they’re not accessible to everyone.
A gaming‑centric fundraiser opens the door for a far larger, more diverse group of supporters to get involved.” The charity has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise more than £5,000 for Save the Children earlier in the year. This partnership exemplifies the kind of collaboration the charity hopes to nurture: a symbiotic relationship where influencers can leverage their audiences for good while the organization gains authentic, grassroots advocacy.
Baxter emphasized that the ultimate goal is to build lasting relationships with gamers and streamers beyond the two‑day event. “If we can introduce more people in this space to the work we do and why it matters, we’ll have taken a huge step forward,” she said.
“Success for us isn’t just the amount of money raised on December 5‑6; it’s the new community of supporters who will continue to champion our cause, perhaps by hosting their own streams or organizing future gaming events.” Because Save Point is a first‑time venture for the charity, Baxter highlighted the learning potential embedded in the experience. “We’ll be gathering feedback from participants, viewers, and partners, which will be invaluable for scaling up future gaming fundraisers.
Each insight will help us refine the format, improve engagement tools, and ultimately deliver bigger, more impactful events year after year.” Describing gamers and streamers as the "unsung heroes of fundraising," Baxter noted that the gaming world is forging a novel, innovative standard for charitable support. She pointed out that gamers share a love of storytelling, imagination, and escapism—qualities that can be harnessed to drive real‑world change. “When we channel that passion for play into a force for lasting impact, we showcase just how powerful the gaming community can be,” she said.
Save Point is a centerpiece of Save the Children’s broader campaign, “The One Delivery That Matters,” slated to launch in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift public focus from traditional holiday gifts to essential deliveries that children in crisis desperately need—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter.
Baxter underscored the stark contrast between the usual festive expectations and the urgent needs of vulnerable children: “Anything you can order with a click can be delivered to your door, but for millions of kids this Christmas, it isn’t toys they’re waiting for—it’s life‑saving supplies that protect their childhoods.” The event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026. Participants can sign up through a dedicated registration portal, where they will receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, tips for engaging audiences, and resources to maximize donation potential.
By merging the excitement of gaming with the altruistic drive to help children, Save Point aims to create a replicable model for future charitable endeavors within the digital entertainment sphere. In addition to the live streams, the charity plans to incorporate interactive challenges, leaderboards, and exclusive in‑game rewards to incentivize viewer donations.
Partnerships with game developers may also allow for special in‑game items whose purchase directly supports the cause. These elements are designed to keep audiences invested, turning passive viewers into active contributors. Overall, Save Point represents a forward‑looking approach to philanthropy—one that meets people where they spend their time, leverages technology, and transforms leisure into a catalyst for social good. By inviting gamers to play, stream, and donate, Save the Children hopes to demonstrate that the power of play can extend far beyond entertainment, delivering hope and essential resources to children who need them most.