This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a live‑streamed event titled Save Point. The project, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, aims to merge the excitement of interactive entertainment with the urgency of charitable giving, offering a novel avenue for supporters to contribute during the festive period.
Fiona Baxter, Senior Fundraising Manager at Save the Children, told GamesIndustry.biz that the concept for Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the organization’s connection with the gaming community. "We wanted a platform where gamers and streamers could rally around our cause in a way that feels natural to them," she explained. "Not everyone can sign up for a marathon or a long‑distance bike ride, but a gaming marathon is far more inclusive and allows a different kind of participant to make a tangible impact." The charity has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise more than £5,000 for Save the Children earlier this year through his own channel.
Baxter highlighted that this partnership is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to cultivate relationships with influencers and everyday gamers alike. "Our hope is to reach a wider audience within this vibrant community, sharing the story of what we do and why it matters," she said.
"If we walk away from Save Point with a fresh cohort of supporters who want to keep gaming for our cause, we’ll consider the event a massive success." Because this is Save the Children’s first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, Baxter emphasized the learning potential inherent in the experiment. "The feedback we collect will be priceless," she noted. "It will inform how we design even bigger, more engaging gaming events in the years to come, ensuring we continuously improve the experience for both donors and participants." Baxter also praised gamers and streamers as the "unsung heroes of fundraising," observing that the gaming world is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support. She elaborated on the cultural traits that make this sector uniquely suited to philanthropy: "Gamers are storytellers at heart.
We love imagination, immersive worlds, and the sense of achievement that comes from overcoming challenges. When we channel that passion toward real‑world change, we demonstrate just how powerful the gaming community can be." Save Point forms a key part of the broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, which launches in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift the public’s focus from traditional holiday gifts to the essential supplies that many children desperately need during the winter months—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter.
Baxter underscored the stark contrast between the consumerist image of holiday deliveries and the life‑saving aid that Save the Children provides: "Anything you can order with a click can be delivered to your door, but for millions of children this Christmas, it isn’t toys they’re waiting for—it’s the deliveries that will protect their health and preserve their childhoods." The event will be hosted on multiple streaming platforms, allowing participants to set up personal fundraising streams, compete in challenges, and engage with viewers in real time. Those interested can sign up via a dedicated registration page, which will also supply guidance on technical setup, donation integration, and promotional tips. By offering a step‑by‑step toolkit, Save the Children hopes to lower the barrier to entry for newcomers who may be eager to contribute but unsure how to navigate the livestreaming landscape.
In addition to the main marathon, Save Point will feature a series of side activities: charity gaming tournaments, speed‑run showcases, and collaborative play sessions with well‑known developers who have pledged to donate a portion of in‑game sales during the event window. These supplementary components are designed to keep the momentum high throughout the two‑day period and to give participants multiple opportunities to raise funds.
The organization also plans to highlight stories from beneficiaries on the stream, illustrating the direct impact of donations. By weaving personal narratives into the gaming experience, Save the Children aims to create an emotional bridge between the virtual challenges on screen and the real‑world challenges faced by children in need. Looking ahead, Baxter expressed optimism that Save Point could become an annual fixture in the charity’s calendar.
"If we can prove that a gaming‑driven fundraiser can deliver meaningful results, we’ll have a powerful new tool in our fundraising arsenal," she said. "The gaming community is massive, passionate, and increasingly socially conscious. Tapping into that energy could transform how we approach charitable giving for years to come." In summary, Save Point represents a bold experiment that blends the interactive allure of gaming with the compassion of charitable giving. By inviting gamers, streamers, and their audiences to rally around a common purpose, Save the Children hopes to deliver essential supplies to children who need them most, while also establishing a fresh paradigm for future fundraising efforts.
To join the movement, interested participants can register their interest through the provided link, receive a detailed briefing on how to set up a fundraising livestream, and become part of a growing community that uses play as a catalyst for positive change.