This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a two‑day event called Save Point, which will run from December 5 to December 6, 2026. The concept was conceived as a way to tap into the enthusiasm and reach of the gaming community, offering an alternative to traditional endurance challenges such as marathons. Fiona Baxter, the organization’s senior fundraising manager, told GamesIndustry.biz that Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with gamers, streamers, and the audiences that follow them. "Save Point gives us a platform to interact with the gaming world on multiple levels – through strategic partnerships, collaborative campaigns, and direct involvement from individual supporters," Baxter explained.
"Not everyone has the stamina or time to train for a marathon, but a gaming marathon is far more accessible. It allows people who might not otherwise engage with charitable events to contribute in a way that fits their interests and lifestyle." To anchor the event, Save the Children has teamed up with popular online content creator and Twitch streamer TheKapFantastic, who has a proven track record of raising funds for the charity. Earlier in the year, TheKapFantastic’s livestream generated more than £5,000 for Save the Children, demonstrating the tangible impact that digital influencers can have when they rally their followers around a cause. Baxter emphasized that the partnership with TheKapFantastic is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to cultivate relationships with gamers and streamers beyond the immediate timeframe of Save Point.
"Our goal is to keep the conversation going after the event ends," she said. "If we can introduce more members of the gaming community to the vital work we do and explain why it matters, we’ll have built a sustainable pipeline of supporters who are eager to return for future initiatives.
Success, for us, will be measured not only by the amount of money raised but also by the number of new allies we welcome into our cause." Baxter also highlighted the learning component of the venture. Because Save Point represents the charity’s first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, the feedback collected from participants, partners, and viewers will be essential for refining future campaigns.
"We anticipate a steep learning curve," she noted. "The insights we gather will help us scale up and improve subsequent gaming events, ensuring they become larger, more engaging, and even more effective at generating support year after year." In her remarks, Baxter described gamers and streamers as "the unsung heroes of fundraising," pointing out that the gaming ecosystem is beginning to set a new, innovative standard for charitable giving.
She observed that many gamers share a deep appreciation for storytelling, imagination, and immersive experiences—qualities that can be harnessed to drive real‑world impact. "There is a cultural understanding among game lovers that we are a community drawn to narratives, to escaping into new worlds, and to the collaborative spirit of play," Baxter said. "When we channel that passion toward tangible change—whether it’s delivering food, medicine, warm clothing, or safe shelter—we showcase just how powerful and influential the gaming community can be." Save Point is a key component of Save the Children’s broader campaign titled "The One Delivery That Matters," slated to launch in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift public focus from the typical holiday consumerism of toys and sweets to the essential deliveries that many children around the globe desperately need during the festive season.
Baxter illustrated this contrast by noting that while many people can order a gift with a few clicks, millions of children are hoping for life‑saving supplies. "Anything you can think of can be delivered to your doorstep with a tap of a screen," she remarked. "But for countless children this Christmas, it isn’t toys or candy they’re waiting for—it’s the basic provisions that protect their health, their safety, and their right to a childhood." The event will feature a series of livestreams where participants can set up their own fundraising channels, engage with audiences in real time, and compete in gaming challenges designed to keep viewers entertained while encouraging donations.
Organisers have created a simple registration process: interested individuals can sign up through a dedicated link, after which they will receive guidance on how to set up a fundraising livestream, choose a game, and promote their stream to maximize reach. Beyond the core fundraising mechanics, Save Point aims to foster a sense of community among participants. By offering chat rooms, leaderboards, and collaborative quests, the event encourages streamers to work together, share tips, and celebrate milestones collectively. This collaborative spirit not only amplifies the fundraising potential but also helps build lasting relationships between the charity and the gaming world.
In addition to direct donations, the event will spotlight stories from children who have benefited from Save the Children’s interventions, reinforcing the tangible outcomes of each contribution. Viewers will see how a single donation can translate into a warm coat for a child in a cold climate, a medical kit for a remote clinic, or a nutritious meal for a family facing food insecurity. The partnership with TheKapFantastic will also include special segments where the streamer interacts with beneficiaries, shares behind‑the‑scenes footage of aid delivery, and answers audience questions about the charity’s work.
This transparency aims to deepen donor trust and illustrate the direct link between gaming‑driven generosity and real‑world impact. Looking ahead, Baxter expressed optimism that Save Point could become an annual fixture in the charity’s calendar, evolving each year with new games, fresh partnerships, and innovative fundraising formats. "If we can prove that this model works—both in terms of raising funds and building a vibrant supporter base—we’ll have a powerful tool to engage younger audiences and diversify our revenue streams," she concluded. In summary, Save Point represents a pioneering effort by Save the Children to merge the excitement of gaming with the urgency of humanitarian aid.
By leveraging the passion, creativity, and connectivity of the gaming community, the charity hopes to deliver essential supplies to children in need this Christmas, while also establishing a sustainable, repeatable model for future charitable endeavors. Participants are encouraged to register their interest, set up their livestreams, and join the global effort to turn play into profound, life‑changing impact.