This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a live‑streamed event dubbed "Save Point." The concept emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the organization’s connection with the worldwide gaming community, according to senior fundraising manager Fiona Baxter, who spoke to GamesIndustry.biz about the project. Baxter emphasizes that Save Point is designed to broaden the charity’s outreach, not only through strategic partnerships with influential creators but also by inviting individual gamers to take part. "Not everyone has the stamina or time to run a marathon," she notes, "so an event like this offers a more inclusive way for supporters to get involved and demonstrates the diverse ways people can contribute to our cause." The charity has teamed up with popular online content creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise more than £5,000 for Save the Children earlier in the year. This collaboration serves as a proof‑of‑concept for how influential personalities can mobilise their audiences for social good.
Baxter says the partnership is just the beginning: "We want to keep nurturing relationships with gamers and streamers long after the event ends. If we can introduce more people in this community to the work we do and why it matters, we’ll have created a lasting pipeline of supporters." She adds that success will be measured not only by the amount of money raised but also by the quality of the new supporter base that emerges.
"If we walk away with a fresh crew of gamers who want to continue playing for us because of the experience they had, that would be a huge win," Baxter explains. "There’s also a steep learning curve for us – this is our first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, so the feedback we gather will be essential for refining and scaling future events." Baxter describes gamers and streamers as the "unsung heroes of fundraising," highlighting how the gaming sphere is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable engagement. She points out that the gaming community shares a love of narrative, imagination, and immersive worlds, and that this passion can be redirected toward tangible, real‑world impact. "When we channel our enthusiasm for games into actions that create lasting change, we showcase just how powerful the gaming community can be," she says.
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 aims to shift the public’s focus from traditional holiday gifts to the essential supplies that many children will be awaiting this Christmas—items such as nutritious food, vital medicines, warm clothing, and safe shelter. Baxet underscores the contrast between consumer convenience and humanitarian need: "Anything you can think of can be delivered to your doorstep with a tap of a screen, but for millions of children this season, the deliveries they need aren’t toys or sweets—they’re life‑saving provisions that protect their childhoods." The two‑day Save Point event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026.
Participants will be able to sign up through a dedicated registration page, where they will receive guidance on setting up their own fundraising livestreams, choosing donation targets, and promoting their streams to maximize reach. The format encourages both solo gamers and collaborative groups to broadcast their gameplay, interact with viewers, and encourage donations in real time. Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, Save Point seeks to cultivate a sustainable ecosystem of gaming‑based philanthropy. By showcasing the potential of live‑stream platforms—such as Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Facebook Gaming—to mobilise large, engaged audiences, the charity hopes to inspire other nonprofits to explore similar models.
The event will also feature educational segments where streamers discuss the specific challenges faced by children in crisis zones, providing context that turns abstract statistics into personal stories. In preparation for the event, Save the Children has assembled a support team to assist participants with technical setup, moderation, and compliance with platform policies. This ensures that each stream runs smoothly and that donations are processed securely. The organization will also provide promotional assets, such as overlay graphics, donation alerts, and pre‑written messages, to help streamers maintain a consistent branding and messaging throughout the fundraiser.
The anticipated outcomes of Save Point include: 1. **Increased Visibility** – Raising awareness of Save the Children’s mission among a demographic that may not traditionally engage with charitable campaigns.
2. **Diversified Funding Streams** – Adding a new, tech‑savvy avenue for donations that complements existing methods like marathon runs, gala events, and direct appeals. 3. **Community Building** – Fostering a network of gamers who feel personally invested in the cause and are likely to participate in future initiatives.
4. **Data‑Driven Insights** – Collecting analytics on viewer engagement, donation patterns, and content performance to refine future campaigns. The charity’s leadership remains optimistic that Save Point will not only generate significant funds for children in need but also set a precedent for how the gaming industry can partner with humanitarian organizations. As Baxter puts it, "When we blend the excitement of gaming with the urgency of delivering essential supplies to vulnerable children, we create a powerful narrative that resonates with both players and donors alike." For those interested in joining the movement, registration is now open.
By signing up, participants will receive a comprehensive toolkit that covers everything from technical requirements to storytelling tips, ensuring they can deliver an engaging, impactful livestream that drives both awareness and contributions. In summary, Save Point represents a bold step forward for Save the Children, leveraging the energy, creativity, and reach of the gaming community to address the pressing needs of children worldwide during the holiday season. The event promises to be a landmark moment where entertainment meets empathy, and where every click, chat message, and donation can help deliver the essentials that countless children are waiting for this Christmas.