This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising campaign, titled "Save Point." The initiative blends video‑game play and live streaming to rally support for the charity’s mission during the most giving time of the year. 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.
"We wanted to create a platform where gamers and streamers could partner with us in a way that feels natural and exciting," she explained. "Not everyone can commit to a marathon or a long‑distance bike ride, but a gaming marathon is far more accessible and lets a whole new audience demonstrate how they can contribute." The event will be anchored by a collaboration with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise more than £5,000 for Save the Children earlier in the year.
Baxter emphasized that the partnership is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to nurture relationships with influencers, developers, and everyday players alike. "Our goal is to keep the conversation going after the livestream ends," she said. "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 are eager to game for a cause again." Baxter also highlighted the learning curve involved in launching a first‑of‑its‑kind fundraiser. "Because this is our debut in the gaming‑fundraising arena, the insights we gather—from viewer engagement metrics to donation patterns—will be priceless.
They’ll help us refine and scale up future events, making each subsequent gaming charity drive bigger and more impactful," she noted. In her view, gamers and streamers are often the "unsung heroes of fundraising," bringing a fresh energy to charitable work.
She pointed out that the gaming world is "setting a new, innovative standard" for how nonprofits can mobilise digital audiences. "Gamers share a love for storytelling, imagination, and the escape that comes from exploring new virtual realms. When we channel that passion toward real‑world change, we showcase just how influential and effective the gaming community can be," Baxter added. Save Point forms a key component of Save the Children’s broader campaign, "The One Delivery That Matters," slated to launch in November 2026.
The campaign seeks to shift public attention from traditional holiday gifts to the essential supplies that many children desperately need during the festive period—food, medication, warm clothing, and safe shelter. "Think of all the things you can order with a click of a button," Baxter remarked. "For millions of children this December, the items they’re hoping for aren’t toys or candy, but life‑saving deliveries that protect their health and future." The two‑day event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026. Participants will be able to sign up through a dedicated registration portal, where they will also receive guidance on setting up their own fundraising livestreams, choosing donation platforms, and promoting their streams to maximize reach.
By blending competitive play, community challenges, and interactive donation incentives, Save Point aims to create a dynamic, engaging experience that encourages both seasoned gamers and newcomers to get involved. Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, the event is designed to foster a lasting sense of community among players who share a common purpose.
Baxter envisions a future where gaming events become a regular fixture in the charity’s calendar, each one building on the lessons learned from the last. "If we walk away from Save Point with a new crew of enthusiastic supporters who want to keep gaming for us, we’ll consider the initiative a resounding success," she said. "The feedback we collect will shape not only our next gaming fundraiser but also how we approach digital engagement across the board." In summary, Save Point represents a pioneering step for Save the Children, merging the immersive world of video games with the tangible impact of charitable giving. By tapping into the creativity, camaraderie, and competitive spirit of the gaming community, the charity hopes to deliver vital resources to children in need, proving that a love of play can translate into profound, real‑world difference.