This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, dubbed "Save Point." The event merges video‑game play with live streaming, offering donors a novel way to contribute while enjoying interactive entertainment. 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 a platform that would let us reach gamers not just as occasional donors but as partners in our mission," Baxter explained. "Traditional fundraisers like marathons are fantastic, but they’re not accessible to everyone.
A gaming marathon opens the door for a much wider audience to get involved, and it showcases the diverse ways people can support our cause." To bring the event to life, Save the Children has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise more than £5,000 for the charity earlier in the year. The partnership is intended to tap into the influencer’s dedicated follower base and demonstrate how digital personalities can mobilise their communities for social good.
Baxter emphasized that the charity hopes the collaboration will be just the beginning of a longer‑term relationship with the gaming community. "Our goal is to keep the conversation going after the livestream ends," she said. "If we can introduce more people to the impact of our work and why it matters, we’ll have built a sustainable pipeline of supporters who might choose to game for us again in the future." She added that the event will serve as a valuable learning experience.
"Because this is our first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, the insights we gather—from viewer engagement metrics to donor feedback—will be crucial. They’ll help us refine the format and scale up future events, making each iteration bigger and more effective than the last." Baxter praised gamers and streamers as "the unsung heroes of fundraising," noting that the gaming sector is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable giving. She highlighted the shared values of the gaming community—storytelling, imagination, and escapism—as powerful motivators for real‑world impact.
"When we channel that passion for virtual worlds into tangible change, we prove just how influential the gaming audience can be," she said. Save Point forms part of the broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, which launches in November 2026.
The campaign aims to draw attention to the fact that, for millions of children worldwide, the most essential gifts this Christmas are not toys but life‑saving essentials such as nutritious food, medicines, warm clothing, and safe shelter. "In the digital age, we can order almost anything with a few clicks," Baxter observed.
"But for many children, the most critical deliveries this season are those that protect their health and future. Our message is simple: redirect the convenience of online shopping toward delivering hope and safety to those who need it most." The Save Point event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026. Participants will be able to sign up through a dedicated registration page, where they will receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, tips for engaging viewers, and resources to help maximize donations.
During the two‑day marathon, streamers will play a variety of popular titles, interspersed with live updates on fundraising milestones and stories from children whose lives have been transformed by Save the Children’s interventions. Viewers will have the opportunity to donate directly through integrated platforms, purchase virtual goods whose proceeds go to the charity, and even challenge other gamers to match contributions. The event also plans to feature guest appearances from game developers, industry leaders, and ambassadors who will discuss the role of gaming in social responsibility. These segments aim to educate the audience about how the skills and creativity fostered in gaming—strategic thinking, collaboration, and problem‑solving—can be harnessed to address complex humanitarian challenges.
By blending entertainment with purpose, Save Point aspires to set a precedent for how nonprofits can leverage emerging digital cultures. Baxter concluded with optimism: "If we walk away from this event with a new crew of enthusiastic supporters who see gaming as a vehicle for change, we’ll consider it a massive success. The more we can demonstrate the power of play to make a difference, the stronger our future campaigns will become." Save the Children invites anyone interested in participating—whether as a streamer, a donor, or a viewer—to register their interest now and receive all the necessary information to join the cause. Together, the gaming community can help deliver the most vital gifts of all this holiday season: safety, health, and hope for children around the globe.