This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a live‑streaming event dubbed "Save Point." The concept, which merges the excitement of video games with the power of charitable giving, is designed to tap into the vibrant world of gamers and content creators, offering a fresh avenue for supporters to contribute during the festive period. Fiona Baxter, the organisation’s senior fundraising manager, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that the idea for Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the gaming community.
"Save Point was born out of a wider desire to engage more with the gaming community," she explained. "We wanted to create an event that felt natural for gamers, one that could bring together both corporate partners and individual enthusiasts in a way that feels inclusive and fun." Unlike traditional charity challenges such as marathon runs or long‑distance bike rides, which require a certain level of physical stamina, a gaming fundraiser offers a lower barrier to entry. "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 said. By leveraging the popularity of live‑stream platforms, the charity hopes to reach a demographic that might not otherwise engage with conventional fundraising activities.
The charity has teamed up with well‑known online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise more than £5,000 for Save the Children earlier in the year. This partnership underscores the organisation’s strategy of collaborating with influential personalities who already have an established rapport with gaming audiences. Baxter added that the charity intends to continue nurturing these relationships long after the event 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 Save Point is a maiden venture for the charity, the team anticipates a steep learning curve. "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," Baxter noted.
The insights gathered will inform future initiatives, potentially expanding the scale and scope of gaming‑based philanthropy. Baxter praised gamers and streamers as "unsung heroes of fundraising," highlighting how the gaming sector is carving out a new, innovative standard for charitable support. She pointed out that the community shares a common love for storytelling, imagination, and escaping into new worlds through play.
"There is an understanding among 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 forms part of the broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, which launches in November 2026.
The campaign seeks to shift the focus of the holiday season from material gifts to essential supplies for children in need. Baxter emphasized that while many families anticipate toys and treats, millions of children are instead hoping for life‑saving deliveries such as food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter.
"Absolutely anything you could think of can be delivered right to your door at the tap of a screen," she remarked. "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 event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, and will run as a continuous live‑stream where participants can join, donate, and interact with the host streamer.
Those interested in taking part can sign up through a dedicated registration page, which will also provide guidance on setting up their own fundraising livestreams. By encouraging individual streamers to host their own mini‑events under the Save Point umbrella, the charity hopes to multiply its reach and create a network of micro‑fundraisers that collectively generate substantial support.
In addition to direct donations, the event will feature gaming challenges, charity auctions of in‑game items, and exclusive giveaways, all designed to keep viewers engaged and motivated to contribute. The partnership with TheKapFantastic will include special segments where the streamer interacts with the audience, shares stories from the field, and highlights the tangible impact of each contribution. Overall, Save Point represents a strategic move by Save the Children to modernise its fundraising toolkit, aligning with the digital habits of younger donors and leveraging the communal spirit of online gaming. If successful, the initiative could set a precedent for other charities seeking to tap into the lucrative and socially connected world of video games, proving that entertainment and empathy can work hand‑in‑hand to drive meaningful change.