This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its very first gaming‑focused fundraiser, an event branded Save Point, which will run as a live‑streamed gaming marathon on December 5‑6, 2026. The initiative is designed to bring together the charity’s existing supporters and the wider gaming community in a single, accessible fundraising experience that leverages the popularity of online streaming platforms.
Fiona Baxter, Save the Children’s senior fundraising manager, told GamesIndustry.biz that Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the organization’s relationship with gamers. "We wanted a way to connect with people who love games in a manner that feels natural to them," Baxter explained. "Not everyone can sign up for a marathon or a long‑distance bike ride, but many can sit down at a computer or console, stream their gameplay, and rally friends and followers to donate. Save Point gives us that bridge between traditional charity work and the digital playground." The charity has teamed up with popular content creator and Twitch streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise more than £5,000 for Save the Children earlier this year through a dedicated charity stream.
Baxter emphasized that the partnership is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to cultivate ties with gamers and influencers. "If we can show the gaming audience what we do and why it matters, we hope to turn casual viewers into regular supporters who will come back for future events," she said. "Success for us isn’t just the amount raised on the day; it’s the new community of advocates we build for the long haul." According to Baxter, the event also serves as a learning laboratory.
"Because this is our first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, the feedback we collect—from technical logistics to audience engagement—will be priceless. It will shape how we design bigger, more ambitious gaming campaigns in the years to come," she noted. The charity plans to analyze viewer metrics, donation spikes, and participant experiences to refine future events, aiming to make each subsequent gaming fundraiser more impactful than the last. Baxter described gamers and streamers as "the unsung heroes of fundraising," highlighting how the gaming world is beginning to set a new, innovative standard for charitable support.
She pointed out that many gamers share a love of storytelling, imagination, and immersive worlds, and that this passion can be redirected toward tangible, real‑world change. "When we turn the joy of play into a vehicle for delivering food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter to children in need, we illustrate just how powerful a community can be when it rallies around a common cause," she said. Save Point is part of a larger campaign called "The One Delivery That Matters," which launches in November 2026.
The campaign aims to shift the narrative around the holiday season for millions of children who will be awaiting essential supplies rather than toys. Baxter underscored the stark contrast between typical Christmas gifts and the life‑saving deliveries that many children need. "Anything you can order online can be delivered with a tap of a screen, but for countless youngsters this Christmas, it isn’t a new game console they’re hoping for—it’s a package of food, a dose of medicine, a warm coat, or a safe place to sleep," she said.
The Save Point event will be streamed across multiple platforms, allowing participants to register in advance, set up their own fundraising streams, and encourage their followers to donate directly to Save the Children. The charity has prepared a toolkit for streamers, including donation overlays, on‑screen graphics, and suggested talking points about the organization’s work. This support aims to make it easy for even novice streamers to host a successful fundraiser.
In addition to live gaming, the event will feature special guest appearances, charity auctions of gaming memorabilia, and interactive challenges where viewers can vote on in‑game decisions, creating a dynamic and engaging experience. The goal is to blend entertainment with education, ensuring that every viewer walks away with a clearer understanding of the challenges faced by children in crisis zones and how their contributions can make a difference.
Baxter expressed optimism about the ripple effect of Save Point. "If we can inspire a single gamer to host a monthly charity stream, the cumulative impact could be massive. We’re not just raising funds for this one holiday; we’re planting seeds for a sustainable fundraising ecosystem within the gaming community," she said.
"The feedback we receive will help us refine our approach, and we hope to see more collaborations with developers, esports teams, and gaming festivals in the future." Save the Children hopes that the event will not only generate immediate financial support but also raise awareness about the broader issue of child poverty and displacement. By aligning the excitement of gaming with a clear humanitarian message, the organization aims to attract a younger demographic that may not have been reached through traditional fundraising channels.
To take part in Save Point, interested individuals can sign up through the official Save the Children website, where they will receive guidance on setting up a livestream, promoting their event, and tracking donations. Whether you are a seasoned streamer, a casual gamer, or simply someone who wants to contribute to a worthy cause, Save Point offers a flexible and inclusive way to make a tangible impact during the festive season. Overall, Save Point represents a bold experiment in merging digital culture with philanthropy. By tapping into the enthusiasm, creativity, and community spirit of gamers, Save the Children aims to set a precedent for how charities can innovate their fundraising models in the digital age, ensuring that more children receive the essential deliveries that truly matter this Christmas and beyond.