This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its first ever gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a two‑day event titled Save Point, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026. The concept grew out of a broader ambition to deepen the organization’s connection with the gaming community, a sector that has shown remarkable enthusiasm for social causes in recent years.
Fiona Baxter, the charity’s senior fundraising manager, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that Save Point was "born from a wider desire to engage more with the gaming community," highlighting a strategic shift toward more inclusive, digital‑first fundraising formats. Unlike traditional charity marathons or walk‑a‑thons, which demand significant physical stamina and time commitment, a gaming‑based fundraiser offers a low‑barrier entry point for a diverse audience.
"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," Baxter explained.
By leveraging live streams, interactive challenges, and community donation drives, the event aims to attract both seasoned gamers and casual players who might otherwise feel detached from conventional charitable activities. The charity has teamed up with popular online content creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, a figure who already has a proven track record of supporting Save the Children.
Earlier this year, TheKapFantastic raised over £5,000 for the organization through a series of charity streams, demonstrating the tangible fundraising potential of influencer partnerships. Baxter emphasized that this collaboration is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy. "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 Save Point is a pilot project for the charity, 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 insights gathered will inform future iterations, potentially expanding the scope to include larger tournaments, multi‑platform collaborations, and even in‑game charity items that players can purchase directly. Baxter also highlighted the pivotal role of gamers and streamers as what she calls "unsung heroes of fundraising." She believes the gaming world is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support, thanks to its unique blend of storytelling, imagination, and community building.
"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 added. Save Point is integrated into Save the Children’s broader campaign, "The One Delivery That Matters," which launches in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift public attention from material gifts to essential deliveries that many children desperately need during the festive season—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter.
Baxter underscored this message by drawing a parallel between the convenience of modern e‑commerce and the dire needs of vulnerable children: "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." Participants in Save Point can sign up through a dedicated registration portal, where they will receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, choosing donation targets, and promoting their streams across social media.
The event will feature a schedule of curated gaming sessions, charity challenges, and guest appearances from notable developers and influencers, all designed to keep viewers engaged and motivated to donate. Beyond the immediate financial goals, Save Point aims to foster a lasting community of gamers who view charitable giving as an integral part of their online identity. By providing tools, resources, and a supportive network, Save the Children hopes to convert first‑time donors into repeat supporters who will champion future campaigns, whether through gaming marathons, virtual concerts, or other innovative digital experiences. In summary, Save Point represents a forward‑looking approach to philanthropy, marrying the immersive, interactive nature of gaming with the urgent humanitarian mission of Save the Children.
It offers a fresh avenue for donors, amplifies the voice of the gaming community, and, most importantly, channels collective enthusiasm into life‑changing aid for children in need during the holiday season.