This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising campaign, dubbed Save Point. The initiative, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, blends live streaming, interactive play, and charitable giving into a single, accessible event that aims to rally both seasoned gamers and newcomers alike. 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 world.
“We wanted to create a platform where the gaming community could engage with us in a way that feels natural and exciting,” Baxter explained. “Not everyone has the stamina or time to run a marathon, but many people love to game.
By offering a fundraiser that centers on playing and streaming, we open the door to a much larger, more diverse group of supporters.” The event is anchored by a partnership with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise over £5,000 for Save the Children earlier in the year. Baxter emphasized that this collaboration is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to cultivate relationships with gamers, streamers, and their audiences. “If we can reach more people in this community with clear information about the work we do and why it matters, we’ll have taken a big step forward,” she said.
“A true measure of success would be walking away with a new crew of enthusiastic supporters who want to keep gaming for us because of the positive experience they’ve had.” Because Save Point is a pilot project for the charity, the team is treating it as a learning laboratory. “There are countless learning opportunities embedded in this event,” Baxter noted. “Since this is our first attempt at a gaming‑centric fundraiser, the feedback we gather will be priceless. It will help us refine the format and scale up even bigger, more impactful gaming events in the years to come.” Baxter also highlighted the vital role that gamers and streamers play in modern philanthropy, calling them the "unsung heroes of fundraising." She observed that the gaming sector is pioneering a new, innovative standard for charitable support.
“Gamers share a deep love for stories, imagination, and the escape that interactive worlds provide,” she said. “When we channel that passion into real‑world change, we showcase just how powerful the gaming community can be in driving lasting impact.” Save Point sits within the larger framework of Save the Children’s "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, which launches in November 2026. This campaign shines a spotlight on the stark reality that millions of children will be awaiting essential deliveries this Christmas—items such as nutritious food, vital medicines, warm clothing, and safe shelter—rather than traditional gifts. Baxter underscored the urgency: "Anything you can order with a tap of a screen can be delivered to a doorstep, but for many children this holiday season, the most critical deliveries are those that safeguard their health and future, not toys or sweets." The event’s structure is straightforward yet flexible.
Participants can sign up through a dedicated registration portal, where they will receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, selecting donation targets, and promoting their stream to friends, followers, and the broader gaming community. Streamers are encouraged to incorporate interactive elements such as challenges, viewer polls, and special in‑game milestones that trigger donation boosts. This gamified approach not only keeps audiences engaged but also creates a tangible link between play and philanthropy.
Beyond the live streams, Save Point will feature a series of curated gaming sessions, charity tournaments, and collaborative play‑throughs with well‑known influencers. These activities are designed to showcase a variety of game genres—from fast‑paced battle royales to narrative‑driven adventures—ensuring that participants can contribute in a way that aligns with their personal gaming preferences.
The charity hopes that by offering multiple entry points, it will attract a broad spectrum of supporters, from casual mobile gamers to competitive e‑sports athletes. In addition to direct donations, the event will spotlight the broader impact of the "One Delivery" message.
Throughout the livestreams, hosts will intersperse short documentary clips, survivor stories, and expert interviews that illustrate how essential deliveries transform the lives of children in crisis zones. By weaving these narratives into the gaming experience, Save the Children aims to deepen viewers’ emotional connection to the cause and inspire sustained involvement beyond the two‑day window. The partnership with TheKapFantastic also serves as a proof‑of‑concept for future collaborations. Having already demonstrated the ability to mobilize a community and raise significant funds, the streamer will act as a mentor for newer creators, sharing best practices for audience engagement, transparent reporting, and effective call‑to‑action techniques.
This mentorship model is expected to foster a ripple effect, empowering a growing network of creators to host their own charitable gaming events. Looking ahead, Baxter envisions Save Point evolving into an annual tradition, with each iteration expanding in scope, incorporating new technologies such as virtual reality charity experiences, and partnering with game developers to create exclusive in‑game items whose sales directly benefit the charity. "We want to build a sustainable ecosystem where gaming and philanthropy reinforce each other," she said.
"The feedback and data we collect from this inaugural event will guide us in crafting even more immersive and rewarding experiences for donors and gamers alike." In summary, Save Point represents a bold step for Save the Children, merging the immersive power of gaming with the urgency of humanitarian aid. By leveraging the creativity, reach, and enthusiasm of the gaming community, the charity hopes to deliver essential supplies to children in need this Christmas, while also establishing a replicable model for future charitable initiatives. Interested participants can register their interest via the official Save Point sign‑up page, where they will receive detailed instructions on launching a fundraising livestream and joining the global effort to turn play into a force for good.