This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused and live‑streaming fundraising event, aptly named Save Point. The initiative, slated for December 5‑6, 2026, aims to merge the enthusiasm of the gaming community with the urgent needs of children worldwide, creating a novel avenue for donors to contribute while enjoying their favorite pastime. Fiona Baxter, the organization’s senior fundraising manager, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that the concept for Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with gamers.
"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," Baxter explained.
By offering a format that is both inclusive and interactive, the charity hopes to attract participants who might not be able to take part in traditional physical challenges. The event will be anchored by a collaboration with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise over £5,000 for Save the Children earlier in the year. This partnership underscores the charity’s strategy of leveraging established influencers to amplify its message and reach new audiences.
Baxter emphasized that the organization intends to nurture these relationships long after Save Point concludes. "It would be incredible to reach more people in this community with information about the work we do and why it's important," she 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." Because this is Save the Children’s first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, Baxter highlighted the learning potential embedded in the event.
"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 noted. The charity plans to use participant insights to refine future campaigns, aiming for progressively larger impact and broader participation.
Baxter also praised gamers and streamers as "unsung heroes of fundraising," pointing out that the gaming world is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support. She described the community as one that cherishes storytelling, imagination, and immersive experiences, and argued that these qualities can be harnessed for tangible, real‑world change. "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," Baxter asserted. Save Point forms part of the broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, which launches in November 2026.
This campaign seeks to shift the focus of the holiday season from material gifts to essential supplies for children in crisis. Baxter explained that for millions of youngsters, the most critical deliveries this Christmas will be food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter—not toys or confectionery. "Absolutely anything you could think of can be delivered right to your door at the tap of a screen," she said, drawing a parallel between the convenience of online shopping and the urgency of delivering life‑saving aid.
Participants can join Save Point by registering their interest through the provided link, which will also supply guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream. Once registered, gamers can choose to stream their gameplay, set donation targets, and engage viewers with updates on how contributions are making a difference.
The charity encourages a variety of gaming genres—from competitive esports tournaments to casual playthroughs—to accommodate diverse interests and skill levels. Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, Save Point aims to cultivate a lasting community of gaming advocates who understand and champion the cause. By offering a platform where entertainment meets philanthropy, the event hopes to inspire repeat involvement, encouraging gamers to incorporate charitable giving into their regular streaming schedules.
In summary, Save the Children’s Save Point represents a strategic blend of modern digital culture and humanitarian outreach. By tapping into the passion and reach of the gaming sector, the charity not only diversifies its fundraising portfolio but also sets a precedent for how NGOs can collaborate with online communities. As the event approaches, the organization looks forward to gathering valuable data, expanding its supporter base, and, most importantly, delivering essential aid to children who need it most during the festive season.