This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a two‑day event titled Save Point. The campaign, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, blends live streaming, interactive play, and charitable giving into a single, accessible experience that aims to draw in a broader audience beyond traditional marathon‑style fundraisers. Fiona Baxter, the organisation’s senior fundraising manager, told GamesIndustry.biz that the concept for Save Point emerged from a growing ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the worldwide gaming community.
“We wanted a platform where both partners and individual supporters could engage in a way that feels natural to them,” Baxter explained. “Not everyone can commit to running a marathon, but virtually anyone can log in, play a game, and contribute to a cause they care about.” By leveraging the interactive nature of video games and the reach of livestream platforms, Save Point offers a more inclusive alternative to physically demanding events.
Participants can join from the comfort of their own homes, using a controller or keyboard to play while their audience watches, donates, and interacts in real time. This model not only lowers the barrier to entry but also showcases the diverse ways supporters can make an impact. The charity has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise over £5,000 for Save the Children earlier in the year.
The partnership highlights the potential of influencer collaborations to amplify fundraising messages and attract new donors. Baxter emphasized that the aim is to forge lasting relationships with gamers and streamers long after the event concludes. “If we can turn today’s participants into a recurring crew of supporters who choose to game for us again, that would be a massive win,” she said. Baxter also noted that Save Point is a learning laboratory for the organisation.
“This is our first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, so the insights we gather—from technical challenges to audience engagement—will be crucial for scaling up future events,” she added. The feedback loop will help Save the Children refine its approach, potentially leading to larger, more sophisticated gaming campaigns in the years to come. In her remarks, Baxter described gamers and streamers as the "unsung heroes of fundraising," praising the sector for setting a "new, innovative standard" in charitable support.
She pointed out that many gamers share a love of narrative, imagination, and escapism, which can be harnessed to drive real‑world change. "When we channel that passion into tangible outcomes—like delivering food, medicine, and safe shelter to children in need—we demonstrate just how powerful the gaming community can be," she said.
Save Point is a key component of Save the Children’s broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, slated to launch in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift public focus from material gifts to essential deliveries that can transform a child's life during the festive season.
Baxter illustrated the contrast: "Anything can be delivered to your doorstep with a tap of a screen, but for millions of children this Christmas, the deliveries they need aren’t toys—they’re life‑saving supplies." The event’s structure is straightforward: participants register their interest through a dedicated portal, receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, and then play selected games while encouraging viewers to donate. Throughout the two days, the charity will showcase live donation tallies, share stories from beneficiaries, and highlight the impact of each contribution. By integrating storytelling with gameplay, Save Point aims to create an emotional bridge between donors and the children they are helping.
Beyond the immediate financial goals, Save Point aspires to raise awareness about the ongoing challenges faced by children worldwide. The campaign’s messaging underscores that while many families enjoy the holiday cheer of new gadgets and gifts, countless children are waiting for basic necessities. By aligning the excitement of gaming with the urgency of humanitarian aid, Save the Children hopes to inspire a new generation of philanthropists who view charitable giving as an integral part of their digital lives.
The partnership with TheKapFantastic also serves as a proof‑of‑concept for future collaborations with other creators across platforms such as Twitch, YouTube, and Facebook Gaming. As the event gains traction, the charity plans to expand its roster of ambassadors, inviting a diverse array of voices—from indie developers to esports athletes—to champion the cause. In summary, Save Point represents a strategic pivot for Save the Children, embracing the interactive, community‑driven nature of modern gaming to broaden its donor base and innovate its fundraising toolkit.
By offering a low‑threshold, high‑engagement experience, the charity not only taps into a vibrant cultural phenomenon but also paves the way for sustained, game‑powered philanthropy. Interested participants can sign up via the official Save Point registration page, where they will receive step‑by‑step instructions on launching a livestream, setting fundraising targets, and maximizing their impact throughout the December 5‑6 window.
The hope is that this inaugural event will lay the groundwork for an annual tradition where gamers worldwide unite to deliver hope, help, and essential supplies to children in need during the most vulnerable time of the year.