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 emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the worldwide gaming community, a goal articulated by senior fundraising manager Fiona Baxter in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz.
Baxter explained that Save Point was "born from a wider desire to engage more with the gaming community," and that the format offers a more inclusive alternative to traditional physical challenges such as marathon runs. "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," she said. By leveraging the interactive nature of video games and the reach of live streaming platforms, the charity hopes to attract both corporate partners and individual gamers who can contribute time, talent, and donations.
The charity has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously raised over £5,000 for Save the Children earlier this year. Baxter highlighted that this partnership is only the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to cultivate relationships with gamers, influencers, and e‑sports organisations.
"It would be incredible to reach more people in this community with information about the work we do and why it's important," she added. "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 the charity’s first foray into this type of digital fundraiser, Baxter stressed the importance of learning from the experience.
"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," she noted. The insights gathered will inform future campaigns, potentially expanding into e‑sports tournaments, charity speed‑runs, and collaborative in‑game charity items.
Baxter described gamers and streamers as "the unsung heroes of fundraising" and praised the gaming sector for "setting a new, innovative standard" in charitable support. She argued that the community’s shared love of storytelling, imagination, and immersive worlds translates naturally into a powerful vehicle for social impact.
"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 said. Save Point forms part of Save the Children’s broader campaign, "The One Delivery That Matters," which launches in November 2026. The campaign aims to shift public focus from consumer‑driven holiday gifting toward essential deliveries that children in crisis need most—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter.
Baxter underscored the urgency of this message: "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 event will be hosted on major streaming platforms such as Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Facebook Gaming, where participants can set up personal fundraising streams, host multiplayer charity matches, or organize community challenges. Viewers will have the opportunity to donate directly through integrated payment links, with all proceeds earmarked for the delivery of critical supplies to children in need during the festive period.
To join Save Point, individuals can register their interest via the official Save the Children website. Registrants will receive a toolkit that includes guidance on setting up a livestream, tips for engaging audiences, and promotional assets to help spread the word. The charity also encourages corporate sponsors to provide matching funds, prize donations, or exclusive in‑game items that can be sold to raise additional revenue.
Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, Save Point aims to foster a lasting community of gamers who view charitable giving as a natural extension of their hobby. By creating a space where entertainment and empathy intersect, Save the Children hopes to inspire a new generation of donors who will continue to support humanitarian causes long after the livestreams end. In summary, Save Point represents a pioneering step for Save the Children into the digital fundraising arena, marrying the excitement of gaming with the pressing need to deliver life‑saving aid to vulnerable children worldwide. Through strategic partnerships, innovative engagement tactics, and a clear focus on measurable impact, the charity seeks to set a benchmark for how the gaming industry can contribute to global humanitarian efforts.
If you are interested in participating, you can sign up through the provided link and receive detailed instructions on how to launch your own fundraising livestream during the event dates.