This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a live‑streamed event titled Save Point. The concept emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the organization’s connection with the global gaming community, a sector that has grown into a powerful cultural and economic force. Fiona Baxter, the charity’s senior fundraising manager, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that the idea for Save Point was "born from a wider desire to engage more with the gaming community," reflecting a strategic shift toward more inclusive, accessible forms of philanthropy.
Unlike traditional endurance challenges such as marathons, which demand significant physical preparation and time, a gaming fundraiser offers a low‑barrier entry point for supporters of all ages and abilities. "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 the interactive nature of live streaming, the charity hopes to tap into the enthusiasm of gamers who are accustomed to rallying around shared goals, whether that be defeating a boss, completing a speedrun, or raising a donation target.
To anchor the event, Save the Children has teamed up with popular online content creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who has already demonstrated a commitment to the cause by raising over £5,000 earlier in the year. This partnership not only brings a recognizable face to the fundraiser but also illustrates the potential for ongoing collaboration between charitable organisations and digital creators. Baxter emphasized that the charity intends to nurture these relationships beyond the two‑day window of Save Point. "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." The event is also positioned as a learning laboratory for the charity. "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. By collecting data on viewer engagement, donation patterns, and streamer performance, Save the Children aims to refine its approach and scale up future initiatives, potentially turning a single weekend into a recurring pillar of its fundraising strategy. Baxter described gamers and streamers as the "unsung heroes of fundraising," highlighting how the gaming space is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support. She pointed out that many gamers share a deep appreciation for narrative, imagination, and immersive experiences.
"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 forms part of a larger campaign titled "The One Delivery That Matters," slated to launch in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift public attention from traditional holiday gifts to the essential items that children in crisis zones desperately need during the festive season.
While many families anticipate toys and sweets, millions of vulnerable children are instead awaiting life‑saving deliveries—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter. Baxter underscored this stark contrast: "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 Save Point event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026. During those 48 hours, participating gamers will stream their gameplay, interact with audiences, and encourage viewers to donate directly to Save the Children. The platform will feature donation meters, real‑time leaderboards, and special incentives such as exclusive in‑game items or shout‑outs for top contributors.
By integrating these gamified elements, the charity hopes to sustain momentum and create a sense of collective achievement among participants. Prospective participants can register their interest through a dedicated sign‑up page, which will also provide guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, selecting the right streaming software, and promoting the event across social media channels. The charity will supply promotional assets, suggested donation tiers, and a toolkit to help streamers convey the urgency of the campaign’s message.
Beyond the immediate fundraising goals, Save Point aims to foster a lasting community of gaming advocates for humanitarian causes. By showcasing the tangible impact of digital philanthropy—such as how a single stream can fund a child's medical treatment or supply a family with winter clothing—the event aspires to inspire ongoing advocacy. Baxter envisions a future where gaming events become a regular fixture on the charity calendar, complementing traditional appeals and broadening the donor base.
In summary, Save Point represents a pioneering effort by Save the Children to blend the excitement of interactive entertainment with the pressing needs of children worldwide. By tapping into the creativity, generosity, and connectivity of the gaming world, the charity hopes to deliver essential supplies to those who need them most, while also establishing a replicable model for future digital fundraising campaigns.