This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a two‑day livestream marathon called Save Point. The event, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, blends the excitement of video games with the power of online community fundraising to support children in need during the most critical time of the year. Fiona Baxter, the organisation’s senior fundraising manager, told GamesIndustry.biz that the concept for Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the gaming world. “We wanted a platform where we could interact with gamers and streamers in a way that felt natural for them, not just a one‑off donation appeal,” she explained.
“Save Point gives us that bridge, letting us reach supporters both through strategic partnerships and through individual participants who might not be able to take part in traditional challenges like marathons.” Unlike a physical endurance event, a gaming fundraiser is highly accessible: anyone with a console, PC, or even a mobile device can join the cause from the comfort of their own home. Baxter highlighted that this inclusivity opens the door for a new type of donor profile—people who may not have the time or ability to run long‑distance races but who can still contribute significant sums by streaming their gameplay, encouraging chat donations, or simply sharing the event with their followers. To kick‑start the campaign, Save the Children has teamed up with popular content creator and Twitch streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously raised more than £5,000 for the charity earlier in the year.
The partnership will see TheKapFantastic host live sessions, showcase exclusive in‑game challenges, and interact with viewers to drive donations throughout the two‑day window. Baxter expressed optimism that this collaboration will be the first of many ongoing relationships with gamers and influencers. "Our goal is to keep the momentum going after Save Point ends," she said.
"If we can turn the participants we meet this weekend into a lasting community of advocates who will continue to game for us, that would be a massive win. The more people we can educate about the work we do and why it matters, the stronger our impact will be." Baxter also noted the learning curve involved in launching a novel fundraising format. "Because this is our inaugural gaming fundraiser, the feedback we receive will be priceless. It will help us refine the experience, address technical hiccups, and design even larger, more ambitious events in the future," she added.
She praised gamers and streamers as "the unsung heroes of fundraising," emphasizing that the gaming ecosystem is beginning to set a new, innovative standard for charitable support. "Gamers are storytellers at heart. We love immersive narratives, imaginative worlds, and the sense of escape that games provide. When we channel that passion toward real‑world change, we demonstrate just how powerful our community can be," Baxter remarked.
Save Point is part of a broader campaign titled "The One Delivery That Matters," which launches in November 2026. The campaign aims to shift public attention from the typical festive consumerism to the stark reality that millions of children will spend Christmas awaiting essential supplies—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter—rather than toys and treats. Baxter illustrated the contrast with a vivid analogy: "Anything you can order with a tap of a screen can be delivered to your door, but for many children this holiday, the deliveries they need are life‑saving essentials, not presents." The event will be hosted on major streaming platforms, with a dedicated donation page linked to each streamer's channel.
Participants can register their interest through Save the Children’s official website, where they will receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, selecting games, and promoting their broadcast to maximize contributions. The charity will also provide branding assets, donation overlays, and real‑time progress trackers to keep viewers informed about fundraising milestones. Beyond the immediate financial goal, Save Point seeks to foster a lasting cultural shift within the gaming community, encouraging players to view their hobby as a conduit for social good. By highlighting stories of children whose lives are directly improved by the donations collected, the event hopes to create an emotional bridge between virtual achievements and tangible outcomes on the ground.
In the weeks leading up to the event, Save the Children will roll out a series of teaser videos, behind‑the‑scenes interviews with participating streamers, and interactive polls to involve the audience in choosing which games will be featured. This pre‑event engagement strategy is designed to build anticipation, expand reach, and ensure that the fundraiser feels collaborative rather than top‑down. When asked what success would look like, Baxter summed it up succinctly: "If we walk away with a new crew of supporters who are excited to game for us again, and if we gather valuable insights that help us scale future gaming events, we’ll consider Save Point a triumph. Ultimately, the true measure is the difference we make for children who are counting on those essential deliveries this Christmas." Save Point promises to be more than a one‑off fundraiser; it is positioned as the launchpad for an ongoing partnership between Save the Children and the vibrant, ever‑growing gaming community.
By turning pixels into purpose, the charity aims to demonstrate that the power of play can extend far beyond entertainment, delivering hope and relief to those who need it most during the holiday season. To join the cause, interested gamers can sign up via the link provided on Save the Children’s website, receive a starter kit for livestream fundraising, and start preparing their gaming rigs for the December 5‑6 event. Whether you are a seasoned streamer or a casual player eager to make a difference, Save Point offers a unique opportunity to combine your love of gaming with meaningful charitable impact.