This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑centric and live‑stream fundraising campaign, titled Save Point. The initiative marks a significant step for the organization as it seeks to tap into the enthusiasm and reach of the global gaming community. 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 charity’s connection with gamers. "Save Point was born out of a wider desire to engage more with the gaming community," she explained.
"We wanted an event that would resonate with both partners in the industry and individual supporters who might not be able to take part in traditional challenges like marathon runs. Gaming offers a more accessible platform where anyone can contribute, and it allows us to showcase the impact of a different kind of supporter." To bring the event to life, Save the Children has teamed up with popular online content creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped the charity raise more than £5,000 earlier in the year. Baxter emphasized that this partnership is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to nurture relationships with gamers and streamers beyond the immediate fundraiser. "It would be incredible to reach 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." The charity also highlighted the learning potential inherent in the venture. "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," Baxter noted.
She described gamers and streamers as "the unsung heroes of fundraising," pointing out that the gaming space is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support. According to Baxter, there is a shared understanding among gaming enthusiasts that they are a community driven by stories, imagination, and the desire to escape into new worlds through play.
By channeling that passion into tangible, real‑world change, the charity hopes to demonstrate just how powerful the gaming community can be. "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," she said.
Save Point is a central element of Save the Children’s broader campaign, "The One Delivery That Matters," which launches in November 2026. The campaign aims to shift public attention from the usual festive gifts to the essential supplies that millions of children will be awaiting this Christmas—items such as nutritious food, life‑saving medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter. Baxter underscored the stark contrast between typical holiday deliveries and the critical needs of vulnerable children.
"Absolutely anything you could think of can be delivered right to your door at the tap of a screen," she observed. "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." The Save Point event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026. During this two‑day window, participants can join live‑stream sessions, engage in gaming challenges, and encourage their audiences to donate. The charity has set up a registration portal where interested individuals can sign up, receive guidance on how to set up their own fundraising livestreams, and access promotional materials to maximize their impact.
By leveraging the interactive nature of gaming and the expansive reach of streaming platforms, Save the Children hopes to create a dynamic fundraising model that not only raises money but also educates viewers about the ongoing humanitarian crises affecting children worldwide. The organization believes that the immersive storytelling inherent in video games can be a powerful conduit for empathy, prompting players to translate virtual achievements into real‑world assistance. In addition to monetary contributions, the event aims to build a lasting community of advocates who will continue to support the charity’s mission long after the livestreams conclude. Baxter envisions a future where gaming events become a regular fixture in the nonprofit sector, offering a fresh avenue for donors who might otherwise feel disconnected from traditional charity drives.
Overall, Save Point represents a bold experiment in merging entertainment with philanthropy. It reflects a growing trend where digital culture and social good intersect, offering new possibilities for fundraising in an increasingly connected world. As the event approaches, Save the Children encourages gamers, streamers, and their followers to join the cause, reminding everyone that a simple click or a few minutes of gameplay can translate into life‑saving deliveries for children in need this holiday season.