This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraiser, a live‑streamed event dubbed Save Point. The initiative, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, merges the excitement of video games with the power of charitable giving, offering a new avenue for supporters to contribute to the organization’s mission. Fiona Baxter, the charity’s senior fundraising manager, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that the concept for Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the organization’s relationship with the gaming community. “Save Point was born out of a wider desire to engage more with the gaming community,” she said.
“We wanted an event that would be as inclusive as possible, giving people who might not be able to run a marathon or take part in a traditional charity walk a chance to get involved.” According to Baxter, the event is designed to attract both corporate partners and individual gamers. “Save Point allows us to connect with the gaming world on multiple levels—through brand collaborations, sponsorships, and the personal involvement of everyday players who stream their sessions,” she explained. “Not everyone can sign up for a marathon, but virtually anyone with a console or PC can join a livestream, making the fundraiser far more accessible.” The charity has teamed up with well‑known online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously generated over £5,000 for Save the Children earlier in the year. This partnership exemplifies the kind of mutually beneficial relationships Save the Children hopes to cultivate.
Baxter emphasized that the organization intends to keep building on these connections long after the event concludes. “It would be incredible to reach more people in this community with information about the work we do and why it matters,” she said. “I’ll consider the event a huge success if we walk away with a new crew of supporters who want to game for us again because of their experience.” Baxter also highlighted the learning potential inherent in a first‑time venture of this nature.
“There are 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,” she noted. The charity plans to use insights from participant surveys, viewership analytics, and donor feedback to refine future campaigns, aiming to make each subsequent gaming fundraiser larger in scope and impact. In describing the role of gamers and streamers, Baxter called them the "unsung heroes of fundraising" and praised the gaming sector for "setting a new, innovative standard" in charitable support.
She elaborated on the cultural alignment between gaming enthusiasts and charitable causes: "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." This sentiment underscores the belief that the narrative‑driven nature of games can translate into compelling storytelling for fundraising, making donors feel personally invested in the outcomes. Save Point is part of the broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, which kicks off in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift public attention from traditional holiday gifts to the essential supplies that many children urgently need during the festive season.
Baxter explained, "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 campaign aims to highlight that, for countless families, the most valuable presents are food parcels, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter. To participate in Save Point, gamers can register their interest through the event’s official sign‑up page. Once registered, they will receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, including tips on choosing a platform, promoting the stream, and integrating donation mechanisms.
The charity will also provide promotional assets, such as banners and overlay graphics, to help participants maintain a consistent visual identity that aligns with Save the Children’s branding. By blending interactive entertainment with philanthropy, Save Point aspires to create a vibrant, community‑driven fundraising model. The event not only offers a fresh way for gamers to give back but also serves as a proof‑of‑concept for how charities can leverage digital culture to reach new audiences. As the gaming industry continues to grow—projected to exceed $300 billion in global revenue within the next few years—the potential for similar collaborations is immense.
In summary, Save the Children’s inaugural Save Point event represents a strategic pivot toward inclusive, tech‑savvy fundraising. It invites gamers of all skill levels to turn their playtime into a force for good, while simultaneously educating the broader public about the critical needs of children worldwide during the holiday season. Through partnerships with creators like TheKapFantastic, a focus on learning and iteration, and a clear message about the life‑saving deliveries children await, Save Point aims to set a benchmark for future charitable gaming initiatives.