This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its first ever gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, dubbed Save Point. The event, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, merges the worlds of video games and live streaming to generate support for children in need during the crucial Christmas period.
Fiona Baxter, the organisation’s senior fundraising manager, told GamesIndustry.biz that Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the gaming community. “We wanted a way to reach gamers not just as donors but as partners, and Save Point gives us that platform,” 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 us showcase the impact a different kind of supporter can have.” The charity has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who earlier in the year raised more than £5,000 for Save the Children through his own channels.
Baxter emphasised that the partnership is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to nurture relationships with gamers and streamers beyond the two‑day event. “If we can introduce more people in this vibrant community to the work we do and why it matters, that would be a massive win,” she said. “I’ll consider the event a success if we walk away with a fresh crew of supporters who want to keep gaming for us because of the experience they’ve had.” Because this is Save the Children’s first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, Baxter highlighted the learning potential.
“We’ll be gathering feedback in real time, and that insight will be priceless as we design even bigger, more ambitious gaming events in the years to come.” She also praised gamers and streamers as “the unsung heroes of fundraising,” noting that the gaming sector is “setting a new, innovative standard” for charitable support. “There’s a shared understanding among game lovers that we’re a community that cherishes stories, imagination and the escape into new worlds through play,” Baxter said. “When we channel that passion into real‑world change, we demonstrate just how powerful and impactful the gaming community can be.” Save Point is a key component of Save the Children’s broader campaign, “The One Delivery That Matters,” which launches in November 2026. The campaign aims to shift the focus of the festive season from material gifts to essential deliveries—food, medicine, warm clothing and safe shelter—that millions of children will be awaiting this Christmas.
Baxter illustrated the contrast: “Anything you can think of can be delivered to your doorstep with a tap of a screen, but for many children this year, it isn’t toys they’re hoping for—it’s life‑saving supplies that protect their childhood.” The event will run over two days, encouraging participants to set up their own fundraising livestreams. Interested gamers can register via the Save Point sign‑up page, where they will receive guidance on how to create a compelling stream, promote their cause, and track donations in real time. The charity will provide resources such as overlay graphics, donation trackers, and suggested talking points to help streamers convey the urgency of the children’s needs.
In addition to the live streams, Save Point will feature a series of mini‑challenges and milestones designed to keep audiences engaged. For example, streamers might aim to reach a certain number of concurrent viewers, unlock special in‑game rewards, or complete cooperative gaming quests with fellow participants. Each milestone will trigger a pre‑arranged donation from corporate partners, amplifying the total funds raised.
The partnership with TheKapFantastic also brings a charitable twist to his regular content. He plans to host a 12‑hour marathon gameplay session, interspersed with interviews from Save the Children field workers who will share stories from the front lines.
These real‑world narratives are intended to bridge the gap between the virtual entertainment world and the tangible impact of donations, reminding viewers that every contribution directly supports children facing hunger, illness, or displacement. Baxter believes that the success of Save Point could pave the way for a new genre of charitable events within the gaming industry.
“We’re seeing a shift where gamers aren’t just passive consumers; they’re active participants in social good,” she said. “If we can demonstrate a model that works, other organisations will be inspired to adopt similar approaches, and the cumulative effect could be massive.” To maximise reach, Save the Children will promote Save Point across multiple platforms, including Twitch, YouTube, Discord and TikTok. The charity will also collaborate with game developers to embed donation prompts directly into popular titles during the event window, offering players seamless ways to contribute without leaving the game.
Overall, Save Point represents an innovative blend of entertainment and philanthropy, leveraging the passion, creativity, and community spirit of gamers to deliver essential aid to children in need this Christmas. By turning play into purpose, Save the Children hopes to set a precedent for future fundraising efforts that are both fun and profoundly impactful.