This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a live‑streamed event called Save Point. The concept originated from a broader ambition to deepen the organization’s connection with the gaming community, a point emphasized by senior fundraising manager Fiona Baxter in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz.

Baxter explains that Save Point was "born from a wider desire to engage more with the gaming community." She notes that the format offers a more inclusive avenue for supporters: "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." By leveraging the interactive nature of video games and the reach of live streaming platforms, the charity hopes to attract participants who might not normally take part in traditional fundraising activities. 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 in the year. Baxter says the partnership with TheKapFantastic is part of a larger strategy to cultivate lasting relationships with gamers, influencers, and their audiences beyond the immediate campaign.

"It would be incredible to reach more people in this community with information about the work we do and why it's important," she says. "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." Baxter also highlights the educational value of the venture: "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." In her view, gamers and streamers are "the unsung heroes of fundraising," and she believes the gaming ecosystem is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support. She elaborates on the cultural traits that make gaming a powerful vehicle for social good: "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." Save Point is integrated into Save the Children’s broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, slated to launch in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift public attention from material gifts to the essential supplies that many children will need this Christmas—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter. Baxter underscores this message: "Absolutely anything you could think of can be delivered right to your door at the tap of a screen. 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 two‑day fundraiser is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026.

Participants can sign up by expressing interest through a dedicated registration link, after which they will receive guidance on setting up their own fundraising livestreams. The structure of Save Point encourages both individual gamers and larger streaming teams to host marathon gaming sessions, with viewers encouraged to donate directly to the cause via integrated donation tools. Beyond the immediate financial goal, the event aims to build a sustainable pipeline of gaming‑related philanthropy.

Baxter envisions a future where regular collaborations with e‑sports teams, game developers, and content creators become a staple of the charity’s fundraising portfolio. She points to the potential for co‑created in‑game items, charity skins, and special edition merchandise that can generate ongoing revenue streams while raising awareness.

The decision to focus on gaming aligns with broader trends in the nonprofit sector, where digital engagement is increasingly vital. According to recent industry reports, the global gaming audience now exceeds three billion people, representing a demographic that is both tech‑savvy and socially conscious. By tapping into this market, Save the Children hopes to diversify its donor base and appeal to younger supporters who may be more comfortable interacting online than attending physical events. In preparation for Save Point, the charity has been conducting internal workshops to train staff on best practices for digital fundraising, data privacy, and community moderation.

These efforts aim to ensure a safe and positive environment for participants, while also protecting donor information and complying with relevant regulations. Overall, Save Point represents a bold experiment in marrying entertainment with empathy.

If successful, it could set a precedent for other charitable organizations to explore similar models, turning the act of playing games into a meaningful contribution to global humanitarian efforts. The hope is that, by the end of the two‑day marathon, the combined power of countless streams, chat messages, and shared enthusiasm will translate into tangible aid for children in need during the most vulnerable time of the year.