This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused and live‑streaming fundraising campaign, aptly named Save Point. The initiative, slated for December 5‑6, 2026, aims to tap into the enthusiasm of gamers and online creators to raise vital resources for children in need during the festive period.
Fiona Baxter, the organisation’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 where we could interact with gamers not just as occasional donors but as partners who could champion our cause in a way that feels natural to them,” Baxter explained. “Running a marathon isn’t feasible for everyone, so a gaming‑centric event offers a more inclusive avenue for support, allowing us to showcase the impact that a different kind of supporter can achieve.” To bring the vision to life, Save the Children has teamed up with popular content creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who earlier in the year helped the charity raise over £5,000 through his channel. This collaboration underscores the growing trend of influencers leveraging their audiences for social good.
Baxter emphasized that the partnership is just the beginning: “Our goal is to nurture ongoing relationships with gamers and streamers long after Save Point concludes. If we can introduce more people in this space to the work we do and why it matters, we’ll have built a sustainable pipeline of supporters who will continue to game for a cause.” Baxter envisions success not only in the immediate funds raised but also in the long‑term community built around the event.
“A true win would be walking away with a new crew of advocates who, after experiencing Save Point, are eager to join future gaming fundraisers on our behalf,” she said. “The feedback we gather will be priceless, helping us refine and scale up gaming‑focused campaigns year after year.” She also highlighted the often‑overlooked role that gamers and streamers play in philanthropy, calling them the "unsung heroes of fundraising." According to Baxter, the gaming arena is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support. She noted, “Gamers are storytellers at heart. We love immersive narratives, imaginative worlds, and the escape that play provides.
When we channel that passion toward tangible, real‑world change, we demonstrate just how powerful the gaming community can be.” Save Point forms a key component of the broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, which launches in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift the public’s focus from traditional holiday gifts to essential deliveries that children in crisis truly need—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter.
Baxter illustrated the contrast: “Anyone can order a toy with a few clicks, but for millions of children this Christmas, the most critical deliveries are those that safeguard their lives and preserve their childhoods.” The event will be fully virtual, allowing participants worldwide to register, set up their own fundraising livestreams, and engage with audiences in real time. Those interested can sign up through the Save Point portal, where they will receive guidance on creating compelling streams, promoting their cause, and tracking donations.
By leveraging platforms such as Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Discord, the charity hopes to create a vibrant, interactive experience that blends entertainment with altruism. Beyond the immediate fundraising goals, Save Point is designed to educate gamers about the broader impact of their contributions.
Throughout the two‑day window, the charity plans to feature informational segments, interviews with field workers, and stories from children whose lives have been transformed by previous deliveries. This narrative approach aims to deepen empathy and encourage sustained engagement beyond the event itself.
Industry observers note that Save the Children’s foray into gaming reflects a larger shift within the nonprofit sector, where digital natives are increasingly seeking cause‑aligned experiences that align with their hobbies. By meeting supporters where they already spend time—online, in front of a screen—charities can lower barriers to entry and foster a sense of community around shared values. In summary, Save Point represents an ambitious experiment that blends the excitement of gaming culture with the urgency of humanitarian aid. It offers a fresh, accessible way for individuals who might not be able to partake in physical challenges to still make a meaningful difference.
As Baxter puts it, “If we can turn the love of play into a force for lasting change, we’ll prove that the gaming world isn’t just about escapism—it’s a powerful engine for real‑world impact.”