This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a live‑streamed event titled Save Point. The concept, which merges the excitement of video games with the power of charitable giving, aims to tap into the vibrant online gaming community and encourage a new wave of supporters to contribute to the organization’s mission. Fiona Baxter, the charity’s senior fundraising manager, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with gamers. "Save Point is allowing us to engage more with the gaming community, both from a partnership and individual supporter perspective.
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," she explained. By offering a format that is more inclusive than traditional endurance challenges, the event opens the door for anyone with a passion for gaming to make a tangible difference. The charity has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously raised over £5,000 for Save the Children earlier in the year.
This partnership highlights the growing trend of influencers leveraging their platforms for social good. Baxter emphasized that Save Point is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to nurture relationships with gamers, streamers, and their audiences.
"It would be incredible to reach more people in this community with information about the work we do and why it's important," she said. "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 this is Save the Children’s first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, the team anticipates a steep learning curve.
"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 data gathered—from viewer engagement metrics to donation patterns—will inform future campaigns, ensuring they become increasingly effective and enjoyable for participants. Baxter praised gamers and streamers as "unsung heroes of fundraising" and pointed out that the gaming world is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support.
She observed that many gamers share a deep appreciation for storytelling, imagination, and immersive experiences. "There is an understanding between 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 said. Save Point is integrated into Save the Children’s broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, slated to launch in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift public attention from traditional holiday gifts to the essential items that vulnerable children need during the festive season—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter.
Baxter highlighted the stark contrast between the convenience of modern e‑commerce and the dire circumstances many children face: "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 Save Point event will run over two days, from December 5 to December 6, 2026. During this window, participants can join live streams, compete in gaming challenges, and encourage their followers to donate.
The charity has set up a simple registration process, allowing interested gamers to sign up and receive detailed instructions on how to host their own fundraising livestreams. By providing clear guidance and promotional assets, Save the Children hopes to lower the barrier to entry for anyone who wants to contribute their gaming skills to a worthy cause. Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, Save Point serves as a proof of concept for how non‑profits can harness digital culture to amplify their impact. The event demonstrates that charitable organizations can move beyond traditional appeals and meet audiences where they already spend time—on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and Discord.
By aligning with the values of the gaming community—creativity, collaboration, and competition—Save the Children is positioning itself at the forefront of a new era of philanthropy. Looking ahead, Baxter envisions a future where gaming events become a regular fixture in the charity’s calendar.
She hopes that the relationships forged during Save Point will evolve into long‑term collaborations, with streamers returning year after year and new creators joining the cause. "If we can build a sustainable network of gaming ambassadors, the potential for ongoing support is enormous," she remarked.
In summary, Save Point represents a bold experiment that blends entertainment with empathy, inviting gamers worldwide to turn their playtime into a force for good. By spotlighting the urgent needs of children during the holiday season and offering an accessible, engaging way to donate, the event aims to deliver both immediate relief and lasting awareness. Anyone interested in participating can register through the provided link and receive all the tools needed to launch a successful fundraising livestream, helping to ensure that, this Christmas, essential deliveries reach the children who need them most.