This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its very first gaming‑focused fundraiser, a two‑day event titled Save Point. The initiative, which will run on December 5‑6, 2026, merges the excitement of video games with live streaming to rally donations for children in need.
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 platform where gamers and their audiences could contribute in a way that feels natural to them,” Baxter explained.
“Not everyone can commit to a marathon or a long‑distance walk, but a gaming marathon is far more inclusive and taps into a passion that many people already share.” The event will be anchored by popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise more than £5,000 for Save the Children earlier this year. Baxter emphasised that the partnership with TheKapFantastic is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to cultivate relationships with influencers, streamers, and everyday gamers.
“If we can walk away with a fresh cohort of supporters who are eager to log in and play for a cause, we’ll consider the event a massive win,” she said. Baxter also highlighted the learning curve involved. “This is our first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, so the insights we gather—from viewer engagement metrics to donation patterns—will be invaluable.
They’ll help us design even bigger, more polished gaming events in the years to come.” In her view, gamers and streamers are the "unsung heroes of fundraising," bringing a fresh, innovative standard to charitable work. She noted that the gaming world is built on storytelling, imagination, and the desire to escape into new realms. By channeling that enthusiasm toward real‑world impact, the community can demonstrate just how powerful collective play 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 seeks to shift the public’s focus from material gifts to essential supplies—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter—that many children will rely on this Christmas. Baxter summed up the sentiment: "Anything you can order with a click can be delivered to your door, but for millions of children this season, it’s not toys they’re waiting for—it’s life‑saving deliveries that protect their childhoods." Participants can join the fundraiser by registering their interest through the Save Point sign‑up page. Once registered, they will receive guidance on setting up a live‑streaming channel, tips for engaging audiences, and best practices for integrating donation prompts into their gameplay. The charity will also provide promotional assets, such as overlay graphics and themed alerts, to help streamers maintain a cohesive visual identity throughout the event.
Beyond the live streams, Save Point will feature a series of challenges and milestones designed to keep viewers invested. For example, each hour of continuous play could unlock a matching donation from a corporate sponsor, while reaching specific in‑game objectives might trigger surprise giveaways or exclusive content drops. These gamified incentives aim to transform passive viewership into active participation, encouraging both small and large contributions. The partnership model extends beyond a single influencer.
Save the Children is actively reaching out to e‑sports teams, gaming clans, and community forums to broaden its reach. By offering flexible participation options—whether a solo streamer, a multi‑player squad, or a charity‑focused tournament—the organisation hopes to tap into diverse segments of the gaming ecosystem. Baxter believes that the event will also serve as a platform for education.
Throughout the livestreams, the charity plans to intersperse short segments that explain the challenges faced by children in conflict zones, areas hit by natural disasters, and regions experiencing extreme poverty. These informational interludes will be crafted to resonate with a gaming audience, using visual storytelling techniques that mirror the immersive narratives found in popular games.
The ultimate goal of Save Point is twofold: to raise immediate funds for urgent deliveries this Christmas and to lay the groundwork for an ongoing relationship between Save the Children and the gaming world. "If we can demonstrate that the gaming community can mobilise quickly and effectively for humanitarian aid, we’ll have set a new benchmark for how charities can partner with digital cultures," Baxter concluded. As the dates approach, the excitement is building.
Fans of TheKapFantastic and other streamers are already planning marathon sessions, while donors are eager to see how their contributions will translate into tangible aid for children across the globe. With the combined power of play, technology, and compassion, Save Point aims to turn a festive gaming weekend into a lifeline for those who need it most.