This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its first ever game‑centric and livestream‑driven fundraising campaign, titled Save Point. The initiative, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, merges the excitement of video gaming with the spirit of philanthropy, inviting both seasoned gamers and casual players to contribute to a cause that affects millions of children worldwide. Fiona Baxter, 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 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. The charity has teamed up with popular online content creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise over £5,000 for Save the Children earlier this year.
Their involvement underscores the growing trend of influencers leveraging their platforms for social good. Baxter emphasized that the partnership is just the beginning: "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 this is Save the Children’s first foray into a gaming‑focused fundraiser, the organization 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 said. The data gathered—from viewer engagement metrics to donation patterns—will inform future campaigns, ensuring they are more effective and inclusive.
Baxter also highlighted the pivotal role that gamers and streamers play in modern fundraising, describing them as "unsung heroes of fundraising" and noting that the gaming sector is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support. She elaborated, "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." Save Point is integrated into Save the Children’s broader campaign, "The One Delivery That Matters," which launches in November 2026. The campaign shines a light on the stark reality that, for many children, the most vital gifts this Christmas will not be toys or sweets but essential supplies such as nutritious food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter.
"Absolutely anything you could think of can be delivered right to your door at the tap of a screen," Baxter noted. "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." Participants in Save Point 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 totals. The event encourages a variety of formats: from marathon gaming sessions and speed‑run challenges to collaborative multiplayer tournaments, each designed to attract diverse audiences and generate sustained interest over the two‑day period. Beyond the immediate fundraising goals, Save Point aims to foster lasting relationships between the charity and the gaming ecosystem.
By showcasing the tangible impact of donations—such as delivering emergency kits to conflict‑affected regions or providing school supplies to displaced children—the event hopes to convert casual participants into long‑term advocates. Baxter envisions a future where gaming events become a regular pillar of the charity’s fundraising strategy, complementing traditional methods like runs, galas, and direct appeals. The decision to leverage livestreaming reflects a broader shift in how charities communicate with donors.
Live video platforms offer real‑time interaction, transparency, and a sense of community that static campaigns often lack. Viewers can watch donors’ progress bars fill, ask questions in chat, and see the immediate effect of their contributions, creating a feedback loop that fuels generosity. In preparation for Save Point, Save the Children has also partnered with several game developers to incorporate in‑game donation triggers and exclusive cosmetic items whose sales will be routed to the cause.
These collaborations not only raise additional funds but also embed the charity’s message within the gaming experience itself, reaching players who might never encounter a traditional fundraising appeal. Overall, Save Point represents a bold experiment that blends entertainment with empathy, harnessing the collective power of gamers, streamers, and their audiences to deliver life‑changing aid to children in need. As the event approaches, the charity encourages anyone with an internet connection and a passion for play to join the cause, register their interest, and become part of a movement that proves a simple click can translate into a vital delivery for a child waiting for help this Christmas.