This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, dubbed Save Point. The event, which blends interactive play with live streaming, is designed to tap into the enthusiasm of gamers worldwide and channel that energy toward urgent humanitarian needs. Fiona Baxter, the organization’s senior fundraising manager, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that the concept for Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the gaming community. "We wanted a platform that would let us interact with gamers not just as occasional donors but as partners in a shared mission," Baxter explained.
"Traditional fundraisers like marathons are fantastic, but they aren’t accessible to everyone. A gaming marathon can be joined from a bedroom, a dorm, or a living room, making participation far more inclusive." To bring the vision to life, Save the Children has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who earlier this year helped raise over £5,000 for the charity through his own channel. Baxter highlighted that this partnership is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to cultivate relationships with influencers and everyday players alike.
"Our hope is that, after Save Point, we’ll have a growing network of gamers who understand our work and are eager to support us again, whether through future streams, collaborative events, or personal fundraising drives," she said. Baxter emphasized the dual purpose of the event: fundraising and learning. "Because this is our first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, the insights we gather—from viewer engagement metrics to donation patterns—will be priceless.
They’ll inform how we design larger, more ambitious gaming campaigns in the years to come," she noted. She also praised gamers and streamers as "the unsung heroes of fundraising," observing that the gaming world is increasingly setting a new, innovative standard for charitable support.
"Gamers are storytellers at heart. We all love immersive narratives, creative worlds, and the thrill of overcoming challenges.
When we translate that passion into real‑world impact, we showcase just how powerful a community can be when it unites around a common cause," Baxter added. Save Point forms part of the broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, slated to launch in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift the holiday focus from material gifts to essential supplies for children in crisis—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter. Baxter illustrated the contrast vividly: "Anyone can order a gadget or a toy with a click, but for millions of children this Christmas, the most valuable delivery will be a box of life‑saving supplies, not a present." The event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026.
Participants can sign up through a dedicated registration page, where they will receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, selecting donation incentives, and promoting their stream to maximize reach. The charity encourages both seasoned streamers and newcomers to join, promising that every hour of gameplay and every chat interaction can translate into tangible aid for children in need. Beyond the immediate financial goal, Save Point aims to raise awareness about the stark reality that many children will spend the festive season waiting for basic necessities rather than gifts.
By leveraging the immersive power of gaming, the charity hopes to create an emotional bridge that motivates players to act. "When viewers see their favorite streamer battling a virtual boss while a real‑world child receives a warm blanket, the connection becomes personal and urgent," Baxter said.
Looking ahead, Baxter expressed optimism that the success of Save Point could pave the way for a series of gaming‑centric events throughout the year. She envisions collaborations with game developers for in‑game charity items, esports tournaments dedicated to fundraising, and even charitable DLCs that allocate a portion of sales to Save the Children’s programs.
"The possibilities are endless," she asserted. "What matters most is that we keep listening to the gaming community, iterating on what works, and building a sustainable pipeline of support that can adapt to the evolving digital landscape." In summary, Save Point represents a pioneering step for Save the Children, merging the interactive allure of video games with the pressing need to deliver essential aid to vulnerable children during the holiday season.
By inviting gamers, streamers, and their audiences to rally around a shared purpose, the charity hopes to demonstrate that the power of play can be harnessed for profound, life‑changing impact. Interested participants can register their interest now and receive detailed instructions on launching a successful fundraising livestream.