This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused and livestream‑driven fundraiser, an event they have christened Save Point. The initiative is designed to tap into the enthusiasm of gamers and online audiences, offering a novel way for supporters to contribute to the organization’s mission while having fun. Fiona Baxter, the senior fundraising manager at Save the Children, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that the concept for Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the gaming community. "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," she explained. By shifting the focus from traditional physical challenges to a digital, interactive format, the charity hopes to lower the barrier to entry for potential donors who might not be able to participate in more demanding physical events. The charity has teamed up with well‑known online content creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise over £5,000 for Save the Children earlier in the year.
This partnership illustrates the growing trend of influencers leveraging their platforms for social good. Baxter emphasized that the collaboration is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to nurture relationships with gamers, streamers, and their audiences beyond the immediate timeframe of the event. "It would be incredible to reach more people in this community with information about the work we do and why it's important," Baxter 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." She highlighted that the event is as much about education as it is about fundraising; by exposing gamers to the real‑world impact of their contributions, Save the Children hopes to build a lasting base of advocates who will continue to champion the cause in future campaigns.
Because Save Point is a first‑time effort for the organization, Baxter also noted the wealth of learning opportunities that come with it. "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 added. The charity plans to analyze viewer metrics, donation patterns, and participant feedback to refine the format for subsequent years, aiming to create a scalable model that other nonprofits could emulate.
In describing gamers and streamers, Baxter referred to them as "unsung heroes of fundraising" and praised the gaming sector for "setting a new, innovative standard" in charitable support. She observed that many gamers share a deep love for storytelling, imagination, and escapism, which can be harnessed for tangible, real‑world 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 a larger campaign titled "The One Delivery That Matters," slated to launch in November 2026.
This campaign seeks to shift public attention toward the pressing needs of children who, during the festive season, are more likely to be awaiting essential supplies—such as nutritious food, vital medicines, warm clothing, and safe shelter—rather than toys and sweets. Baxter underscored this contrast by noting, "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 to run over two days, from December 5 to December 6, 2026.
Participants will have the opportunity to register their interest through a dedicated portal, where they will receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, selecting donation targets, and promoting their streams across social media channels. The charity will provide resources such as graphics, talking points, and a toolkit to help streamers integrate the cause seamlessly into their content. Beyond the live streams themselves, Save Point will feature interactive elements designed to keep audiences engaged. These may include in‑game challenges, viewer polls that determine donation milestones, and exclusive rewards for top contributors, such as custom avatars or early access to upcoming game releases.
By blending entertainment with philanthropy, the event aims to create a sense of community and shared purpose among participants. The broader vision for Save Point extends past the immediate fundraising goal. Baxter expressed hope that the event will lay the groundwork for an ongoing partnership ecosystem between Save the Children and the gaming industry.
This could involve future collaborations with game developers to embed charitable mechanics directly into games, sponsorships of e‑sports tournaments, or the creation of limited‑edition virtual items whose sales support the charity. In summary, Save the Children's inaugural Save Point fundraiser represents a strategic pivot toward digital engagement, leveraging the passion and reach of gamers to address urgent humanitarian needs. By offering a more inclusive, interactive, and modern avenue for donation, the charity aims to attract a new generation of supporters, gather valuable insights for future campaigns, and ultimately deliver life‑saving resources to children in need during the critical Christmas period.
If you are interested in joining the cause, you can sign up through the provided link, receive detailed instructions on how to set up your own fundraising livestream, and become part of a growing movement that transforms play into purpose.