This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a live‑streamed event titled Save Point. The concept emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the organization’s connection with the worldwide gaming community, a point emphasized by Fiona Baxter, the charity’s senior fundraising manager, during an interview with GamesIndustry.biz. Baxter explained that Save Point was conceived as a more inclusive alternative to traditional physical challenges such as marathon runs. "Not everyone has the time or ability to train for a marathon, but a gaming‑based fundraiser can be accessed from a living room, a bedroom, or any place with an internet connection," she said.
"By leveraging the popularity of video games and live streaming, we can invite a whole new segment of supporters to contribute in a way that feels natural to them." To give the event a strong digital foothold, Save the Children has partnered with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who earlier this year helped raise over £5,000 for the charity through his own channel. The collaboration is intended to showcase how influencers can mobilise their audiences for a cause, while also providing a platform for viewers to donate in real time as the streamer engages with the game. Looking beyond the two‑day window, Baxter expressed a desire to nurture lasting relationships with gamers, streamers, and their followers. "If we can turn this one‑off event into a springboard for ongoing engagement, it would mean we’re reaching a demographic that might otherwise never encounter our work," she noted.
"Success for us isn’t just the amount raised on December 5‑6; it’s the community we build that will continue to champion children’s rights long after the stream ends." She also highlighted the learning curve involved in pioneering this type of fundraiser. "Because this is our first venture into a gaming‑centric campaign, the feedback we collect—from technical glitches to audience interaction—will be priceless. It will shape how we design larger, more ambitious gaming events in the years to come," Baxter added. Baxet 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 support.
"There’s a shared culture among gamers of storytelling, imagination, and escaping into new worlds. When we channel that passion toward tangible, real‑world impact, we demonstrate just how powerful that community can be," she said. Save Point forms part of a broader campaign called "The One Delivery That Matters," slated to launch in November 2026. The campaign’s core message is that, for millions of children around the globe, the most vital gifts this Christmas will not be toys or sweets, but essential supplies such as nutritious food, life‑saving medicines, warm clothing, and safe shelter.
Baxter emphasized the stark contrast between the convenience of modern e‑commerce and the urgent needs of vulnerable children: "Anyone can order a gadget with a few taps, but for these children the deliveries they await are matters of survival and dignity." The event is scheduled for December 5 and 6, 2026. Participants can sign up through a dedicated registration portal, where they will receive guidance on setting up their own fundraising livestreams, choosing a game to play, and promoting their streams to attract donations.
The platform will also provide tools for tracking contributions in real time, enabling streamers to celebrate milestones and thank donors instantly. Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, Save Point aims to educate viewers about the charity’s broader mission. By integrating short informational segments into the livestream—such as interviews with field workers, animated explainer videos, and testimonials from families who have benefited from previous deliveries—the event seeks to turn passive viewers into informed advocates. This educational component aligns with the campaign’s overarching objective: to shift public perception from seeing Christmas as a time for consumer excess to recognizing it as an opportunity to deliver life‑changing aid to children in need.
The partnership with TheKapFantastic also includes a series of pre‑event activities. Over the weeks leading up to the main stream, the creator will host Q&A sessions, share behind‑the‑scenes footage of the charity’s work, and run mini‑challenges where viewers can win digital rewards for donating.
These initiatives are designed to build momentum, foster a sense of community, and keep the conversation about children’s welfare alive throughout the holiday season. In summary, Save Point represents a strategic pivot for Save the Children, embracing the digital age and the burgeoning influence of gaming culture to broaden its donor base. By offering an accessible, entertaining, and purpose‑driven experience, the charity hopes to inspire a new generation of philanthropists who view gaming not just as leisure, but as a powerful vehicle for social change.
The success of this inaugural event will be measured not only in pounds raised, but in the lasting connections forged between the charity and the vibrant, story‑loving world of gamers and streamers.