This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its first ever gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, aptly named Save Point. The new event merges video‑game play with live streaming to rally support and donations for children in need. Fiona Baxter, the organization’s senior fundraising manager, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that 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 and streamers on a level that feels natural for them,” she said. “Not everyone can sign up for a marathon or a bike ride, so a gaming marathon offers a more inclusive way for people to get involved and show what a different kind of supporter can achieve.” To give the event a strong launchpad, Save the Children has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise more than £5,000 for the charity earlier this year. Baxter emphasized that the partnership is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to cultivate relationships with gamers, influencers, and their audiences beyond the two‑day fundraiser.
“It would be amazing to reach a wider slice of the gaming community with information about what we do and why it matters,” Baxter explained. “I’ll consider the event a massive win if we finish with a fresh crew of supporters who want to keep gaming for us because of the experience they’ve had.” Because this is Save the Children’s first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, the team is also looking at the event as a learning laboratory. “We’ll be gathering feedback from participants, donors, and partners, and that insight will be priceless as we plan bigger, more ambitious gaming events in the years to come,” she added.
Baxter praised gamers and streamers as the “unsung heroes of fundraising,” noting that the gaming world is setting a new, inventive standard for charitable support. She highlighted the shared love of narrative, imagination, and escapism that unites gamers, saying, “When we channel that passion for play into real‑world impact, we demonstrate just how powerful and influential the gaming community can be.” Save Point is a key component of Save the Children’s broader campaign, “The One Delivery That Matters,” which launches in November 2026.
The campaign aims to shift the focus of the holiday season from consumer gifts to essential supplies for children who lack basic necessities. Baxter pointed out that while many people think of ordering toys or treats online, millions of children are instead hoping for life‑saving deliveries such as food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter. “Anything you can imagine being delivered to your doorstep with a few clicks can be a reality for families,” she said. “But for countless children this Christmas, it isn’t a new game console they’re waiting for – it’s the essential items that will protect their health and preserve their childhood.” The Save Point event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026.
Participants can sign up by registering their interest through the provided link, which will also supply guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, choosing donation platforms, and promoting the cause to their followers. The charity encourages both seasoned streamers and newcomers to join, emphasizing that every hour of gameplay streamed can translate into tangible support for children in crisis.
Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, Save Point seeks to create a lasting community of gamers who view charitable giving as an integral part of their online presence. By blending entertainment with empathy, the initiative hopes to inspire a cultural shift where gaming sessions become regular opportunities for philanthropy. Baxter concluded with optimism: “If we can turn a weekend of gaming into a catalyst for change, we’ll have shown that the power of play extends far beyond the screen, reaching into the lives of the most vulnerable children around the world.”