This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising campaign, dubbed Save Point. The initiative merges the excitement of video games with live streaming to create a novel way for supporters to contribute to the organization’s mission. 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.
"We wanted a platform where we could interact with gamers and streamers on a level that feels natural for them," Baxter explained. "Not everyone can take part in a marathon or a traditional charity walk, so a digital‑first event like this opens the doors for a much wider audience to get involved." The event will be anchored by a partnership with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who earlier this year helped raise more than £5,000 for the charity during a separate livestream. Baxter emphasized that Save Point is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to nurture relationships with gamers, influencers, and their followers. "If we can introduce more people in this space to the work we do and why it matters, we’ll have built a sustainable pipeline of supporters who might return for future gaming‑driven campaigns," she said.
"A successful outcome for us would be walking away with a new crew of enthusiastic backers who want to keep gaming for a cause after they experience what we’ve built together." Because this is Save the Children’s first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, the team anticipates a steep learning curve. "The feedback we receive will be priceless," Baxter noted. "It will help us refine the format, improve the technical side of livestreams, and ultimately scale up to even bigger, more impactful gaming events in the years to come." Baxter also praised gamers and streamers as the "unsung heroes of fundraising," pointing out that the gaming world is beginning to set a "new, innovative standard" for charitable support.
She highlighted the shared values that unite gamers: a love of storytelling, imagination, and the ability to escape into alternate realities through play. "When we channel that passion into real‑world change, we demonstrate just how powerful the gaming community can be," she added. Save Point forms part of the broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, which launches in November 2026. The campaign aims to shift public attention from traditional holiday gifts to the essential supplies that many children will need this Christmas—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter.
Baxter stressed the stark contrast between the usual consumer mindset and the urgent needs of vulnerable youngsters. "Anyone can order a gadget with a tap of a screen, but for millions of children this season, the most critical deliveries are those that keep them alive and protect their childhoods," she said. The two‑day 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, choosing donation targets, and promoting their streams to maximize reach.
The charity plans to provide resources such as overlay graphics, donation trackers, and promotional assets to help streamers create professional‑looking broadcasts. Beyond the live streams themselves, Save Point will feature a series of ancillary activities designed to keep the audience engaged throughout the weekend. These may include gaming tournaments, charity auctions of rare in‑game items, and Q&A sessions with Save the Children staff who can explain how donations translate into tangible aid on the ground.
By integrating educational content with entertainment, the organizers hope to deepen viewers’ understanding of the challenges faced by children in conflict zones, disaster‑affected areas, and impoverished communities. In addition to direct monetary contributions, the event aims to raise awareness about the broader mission of Save the Children.
By tapping into the storytelling nature of gaming, the charity hopes to illustrate how each donation can be seen as a "power‑up" for a child in need, unlocking access to nutrition, healthcare, education, and a safe environment. This metaphorical framing aligns with gamers’ familiar concepts of leveling up and unlocking new abilities, making the impact of each contribution more relatable and emotionally resonant. The partnership with TheKapFantastic is expected to draw his substantial follower base into the cause. Having previously raised a notable sum for the charity, his involvement signals credibility and demonstrates the potential of influencer‑driven philanthropy.
Baxter expressed optimism that other creators will follow suit, creating a ripple effect across the platform ecosystem. Looking ahead, Save the Children plans to analyze engagement metrics, donation totals, and participant feedback to refine future iterations of gaming‑based fundraisers. The organization envisions a recurring calendar of events that could include collaborations with game developers for in‑game charity items, exclusive digital skins sold for charity, and even co‑hosted charity esports tournaments. Ultimately, Save Point is more than a one‑off fundraiser; it is a strategic experiment in harnessing the power of digital culture for social good.
By offering an accessible, fun, and meaningful way for gamers to contribute, the charity hopes to cultivate a new generation of donors who see charitable giving as an integral part of their online identity. As Baxter concluded, "When we turn our love of gaming into a force for lasting change, we prove just how impactful the gaming community can be for the world beyond the screen." If you’re interested in taking part, you can register your interest through the provided link and receive all the necessary information to set up your own fundraising livestream during Save Point.