This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a two‑day event dubbed Save Point. The concept, which blends live streaming, community play and charitable giving, is designed to tap into the enthusiasm and reach of the online gaming world while raising vital resources for children in need.
Fiona Baxter, the organisation’s senior fundraising manager, told GamesIndustry.biz that the idea for Save Point grew out of a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with gamers. "We wanted a way to interact with the gaming community that felt natural for both partners and individual supporters," she explained. "Not everyone can sign up for a marathon or a cycling challenge, so a gaming marathon is far more inclusive and gives us a platform to highlight what a different kind of donor can achieve." The event will be anchored by a collaboration with popular content creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who earlier in the year helped Save the Children raise more than £5,000 through a dedicated charity stream.
Baxter emphasised that the partnership is only the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to nurture relationships with influencers and gamers after the inaugural event concludes. "If we can introduce more people in this space to the work we do and why it matters, we’ll have taken a big step forward," she said. "Success for us will look like a fresh cohort of gaming supporters who, after experiencing Save Point, want to keep playing for our cause." Because this is Save the Children’s first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, Baxter highlighted the learning potential embedded in the venture.
"The feedback we gather will be priceless," she noted. "It will help us refine the format and scale up future gaming events, making them bigger, better and more impactful each year." Baxter also praised gamers and streamers as "the unsung heroes of fundraising," observing that the gaming arena is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support. She pointed out that many gamers share a love of narrative, imagination and escapism, and that channeling that passion into real‑world change showcases the sector’s capacity to drive lasting impact.
"When we convert our devotion to games into a force for tangible change, we demonstrate just how powerful the gaming community can be," she added. Save Point is a key component of Save the Children’s broader campaign, "The One Delivery That Matters," slated to launch in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift public attention from traditional holiday gifts to the essential supplies that many children will rely on this Christmas—food, medicine, warm clothing and safe shelter.
Baxter underscored the stark contrast between the convenience of online shopping and the urgent needs of vulnerable youngsters. "Anything you can order with a click can arrive at your door instantly," she said. "For millions of children this season, however, it isn’t toys they’re awaiting—it’s life‑saving deliveries that protect their childhoods." Save Point will run on December 5 and 6, 2026. Participants can sign up to join the event, receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, and share their progress with their audiences.
The charity hopes that the combined reach of streamers, gaming communities and individual donors will translate into substantial contributions that directly support the delivery of essential items to children worldwide. Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, the event is intended to build a sustainable bridge between the nonprofit sector and the gaming ecosystem. By offering an accessible, enjoyable way for people to contribute—whether they are seasoned streamers or casual players—Save the Children aims to cultivate a new generation of philanthropically minded gamers. This, Baxter believes, could pave the way for a series of recurring gaming events, each one larger and more refined than the last, ultimately establishing a reliable pipeline of support for children in crisis.
In summary, Save Point represents an innovative blend of entertainment and altruism, leveraging the passion, creativity and connectivity of the gaming world to address urgent humanitarian needs. By inviting gamers to turn their playtime into a platform for change, Save the Children hopes to demonstrate that even virtual adventures can have real‑world consequences, delivering hope, health and safety to children who need it most this holiday season.