This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused and live‑streaming fundraising initiative, dubbed Save Point. The concept emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the organization’s connection with the worldwide gaming community, according to Fiona Baxter, the charity’s senior fundraising manager, who spoke to GamesIndustry.biz.
Baxter explains that Save Point offers a dual‑track approach to engagement: it opens doors for partnerships with established gaming brands and influencers, while also inviting individual gamers to take part in a cause‑driven event that is far more accessible than traditional physical challenges such as marathons. "Not everyone can run a marathon," she notes, "so an event like this levels the playing field and showcases the impact that a different type of supporter can have." The charity has teamed up with popular online content creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who earlier in the year helped raise more than £5,000 for Save the Children through his own channel. This collaboration marks the beginning of what Baxter hopes will become a lasting relationship with gamers, streamers, and their audiences. "It would be incredible to reach more people in this community with information about the work we do and why it matters," Baxter says.
"I’ll consider the event a massive success if we walk away with a new crew of supporters who want to game for us again because of the experience they’ve had." Because this is Save the Children’s first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, 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," she adds.
Baxter praises gamers and streamers as "the unsung heroes of fundraising" and points out that the gaming arena is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support. She highlights a shared cultural trait among gamers: a love of stories, imagination, and the ability to escape into new worlds through play. By channeling that enthusiasm toward tangible, real‑world change, the charity aims to demonstrate just how powerful the gaming community can be when it rallies around a cause.
Save Point is a key component of Save the Children’s broader campaign, "The One Delivery That Matters," which launches in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift public attention from the traditional image of Christmas gifts to the urgent, life‑saving deliveries that many children need during the holiday season—such as nutritious food, essential medicines, warm clothing, and safe shelter. "Absolutely anything you could think of can be delivered right to your door at the tap of a screen," Baxter observes. "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." Save Point is scheduled to run over two days, from December 5 to December 6, 2026.
Participants can sign up by registering their interest through the provided link, which will also supply guidance on how to set up a fundraising livestream. Once live, streamers will encourage viewers to donate, with each contribution directly supporting the delivery of essential supplies to children in need. The event is designed to be highly interactive. Streamers will incorporate challenges, giveaways, and real‑time updates on fundraising totals, creating a dynamic environment that keeps audiences engaged and motivated to give.
By leveraging the immediacy of live chat and the communal spirit of multiplayer gaming, Save Point aims to turn individual donations into a collective force capable of delivering substantial aid. Beyond the immediate financial impact, the initiative also serves an educational purpose. Throughout the livestreams, hosts will share stories from the field, highlighting how the donations translate into concrete outcomes—whether it’s a family receiving a winter coat bundle, a clinic stocked with life‑saving medication, or a community gaining access to clean water. This storytelling element reinforces the connection between the virtual world of gaming and the real‑world needs of vulnerable children.
In the weeks following the event, Save the Children plans to release a comprehensive report detailing the total amount raised, the number of participants, and the specific ways the funds were allocated. The organization hopes this transparency will not only validate the success of Save Point but also inspire other charities to explore similar gaming‑centric fundraising models.
Looking ahead, Baxter envisions a future where gaming and philanthropy are intertwined on a regular basis. "We see this as the beginning of an ongoing partnership with the gaming sector," she says.
"Our goal is to create a sustainable pipeline of support that taps into the creativity, enthusiasm, and generosity of gamers worldwide." In summary, Save Point represents a bold experiment in merging entertainment with altruism. By inviting gamers to turn their passion for play into a catalyst for change, Save the Children hopes to deliver critical supplies to millions of children during the most vulnerable time of the year, while also forging lasting relationships with a vibrant and rapidly growing community.
The charity invites anyone interested in making a difference to join the effort, register their interest, and help turn virtual victories into real‑world hope.