This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its first ever gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a live‑streamed event dubbed "Save Point." The campaign, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, merges the excitement of video games with the charitable spirit of the season, offering supporters a novel way to contribute to the organization’s mission. Fiona Baxter, the charity’s senior fundraising manager, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that the concept for Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the organization’s connection with the gaming community.
"Save Point was born out of a genuine desire to engage more directly with gamers and streamers," she explained. "We wanted to create an event that feels inclusive and accessible, something that doesn’t require participants to run a marathon or climb a mountain, but still makes a tangible difference." Unlike traditional endurance challenges, a gaming marathon can be joined from a living room, a dorm, or a coffee shop, allowing a much wider audience to take part.
Baxter highlighted that this accessibility is key: "Not everyone can run a marathon, so an event like this opens the door for a different type of supporter. It showcases how diverse contributions can add up to real impact." The charity has teamed up with popular online content creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise more than £5,000 for Save the Children earlier in the year.
This partnership exemplifies the growing synergy between nonprofit organisations and digital influencers. By leveraging TheKapFantastic’s existing follower base, Save the Children hopes to amplify its message and draw new donors into the fold. Looking beyond the two‑day event, Baxter expressed enthusiasm about cultivating lasting relationships with gamers and streamers.
"It would be amazing to reach even more people in this community with information about the work we do and why it matters," she said. "I’ll consider the event a huge success if we walk away with a fresh 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 organisation anticipates a steep learning curve. "There are a lot of learning opportunities here," Baxter noted. "The feedback we gather will be invaluable and will help us design even bigger and better gaming events in future years." Baxter also praised gamers and streamers as the "unsung heroes of fundraising," emphasizing that the gaming arena is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support.
She pointed out the unique cultural traits of the gaming community: "Game‑lovers share a love of stories, imagination, and escaping into new worlds through play. When we channel that passion into real‑world change, we demonstrate just how powerful and impactful the gaming community can be." Save Point forms a central pillar of Save the Children’s broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, which launches in November 2026.
The campaign aims to shift public focus from traditional holiday gifts to essential supplies that children in crisis need most. Baxter explained, "Millions of children will be waiting for vital deliveries this Christmas—food, medicine, warm clothing, and a safe place to sleep—rather than presents." She added a poignant analogy that ties the digital and physical worlds together: "Anything you could think of can be delivered to your door with a 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." To join Save Point, participants can register their interest through the event’s sign‑up page. Once registered, they will receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, including tips on engaging audiences, integrating donation links, and promoting the cause across social media platforms.
The charity encourages both seasoned streamers and newcomers to take part, emphasizing that every hour of gameplay streamed can translate into vital resources for children in need. Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, Save Point is intended to serve as a proof‑of‑concept for future collaborations between nonprofits and the gaming industry. Baxter envisions a pipeline of events that could involve game developers, e‑sports tournaments, and charitable in‑game purchases, all designed to funnel resources to vulnerable children worldwide. In summary, Save the Children’s inaugural Save Point event represents a strategic pivot toward modern, digital‑first fundraising.
By tapping into the passion, creativity, and community spirit of gamers, the charity hopes to not only raise essential funds for its holiday delivery campaign but also to lay the groundwork for an ongoing partnership with one of the most vibrant cultural movements of our time.