This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its first ever gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, branded Save Point. The event, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, merges the excitement of video games with live streaming to rally 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 and streamers in a way that feels natural for them,” Baxter explained. “Not everyone can commit to a marathon or a long‑distance bike ride, but a gaming marathon is far more accessible, allowing a wider range of supporters to take part and make a tangible difference.” To give the event a strong digital foothold, Save the Children has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who earlier this year helped raise over £5,000 for the charity. The partnership aims to showcase how individual influencers can mobilise their audiences for a common cause, while also highlighting the potential for long‑term collaborations beyond a single fundraiser.
Baxter emphasized that the charity hopes the event will serve as a springboard for ongoing relationships with gamers and content creators. “If we can introduce more people in this space to the work we do and why it matters, that’s a win in itself,” she said. “I’ll consider the event a massive success if we walk away with a new crew of supporters who are eager to game for us again because of the positive experience they had.” Because Save Point is a first‑time venture for Save the Children, the team is also keen to gather insights that will shape future initiatives.
“There are a lot of learning opportunities embedded in this event,” Baxter noted. “The feedback we receive will be priceless, helping us design bigger, more impactful gaming fundraisers year after year.” Describing gamers and streamers as the "unsung heroes of fundraising," Baxter pointed out that the gaming sector is forging a novel, innovative standard for charitable giving. She highlighted the shared values of the gaming community—storytelling, imagination, and the desire to explore new worlds—as powerful tools that can be redirected toward real‑world change. “When we turn our passion for play into a force for lasting impact, we demonstrate just how influential the gaming community can be,” she said.
Save Point is part of a broader campaign titled "The One Delivery That Matters," which launches in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift the holiday narrative for millions of children who will be awaiting essential deliveries—such as food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter—instead of traditional presents. Baxter underscored this contrast, stating, “Anything you can imagine being delivered to your doorstep with a tap of a screen is possible. But for countless children this Christmas, it isn’t toys they need; it’s life‑saving supplies that protect their childhoods.” The event will run over two days, offering participants several ways to get involved.
Gamers can register their interest via a dedicated link, which provides guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, choosing a game, and promoting their stream to maximize donations. Streamers are encouraged to integrate donation alerts, challenge milestones, and interactive elements to keep viewers engaged and motivated to contribute. Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, Save Point aims to raise awareness about the broader issues affecting children worldwide. By leveraging the reach of gaming platforms such as Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Discord, the charity hopes to educate a younger, digitally‑savvy audience about the realities of food insecurity, lack of medical care, and unsafe living conditions that many children face during the holiday season.
The collaboration with TheKapFantastic also includes a series of pre‑event activities, such as Q&A sessions, behind‑the‑scenes looks at the charity’s work, and exclusive in‑game rewards for donors. These incentives are designed to foster a sense of community and reward generosity, reinforcing the idea that every contribution—big or small—has a direct impact on a child’s life. Looking ahead, Baxter expressed optimism that Save Point could become an annual fixture in the charity’s fundraising calendar.
“If this pilot proves successful, we’ll have a solid foundation to expand into larger tournaments, multi‑streamer collaborations, and even partnerships with game developers for special in‑game events that channel proceeds directly to Save the Children,” she said. In summary, Save Point represents a pioneering effort to blend the worlds of gaming and philanthropy, offering an inclusive, engaging, and modern avenue for supporters to make a difference. By tapping into the creativity, enthusiasm, and communal spirit of gamers, Save the Children hopes to deliver vital resources to children in need this Christmas and set a precedent for future charitable gaming events.
To join the cause, interested participants can sign up through the provided registration link, receive instructions on how to launch a fundraising stream, and become part of a movement that transforms play into powerful, life‑changing assistance for vulnerable children worldwide.