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 gaming world, according to senior fundraising manager Fiona Baxter, who spoke to GamesIndustry.biz about the project’s origins and objectives. "Save Point grew out of a genuine desire to engage more directly with gamers and streamers," Baxter explained. "We wanted an activity that would be accessible to a wider audience than a traditional marathon or walkathon.
Not everyone can commit to running twenty miles, but many people can log on, play a game, and raise money from the comfort of their own home. This format lets us showcase a different kind of supporter and the unique impact they can have." The event is being powered by a partnership with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who earlier this year helped Save the Children raise more than £5,000 through his own channel. Baxter emphasized that the charity hopes to nurture and expand these relationships long after the two‑day fundraiser concludes. "Our aim is to reach even more members of the gaming community with clear information about what we do and why it matters," she said.
"If, after the event, we have a fresh cohort of gamers who are excited to partner with us again, that will be a massive win." Because Save Point is a brand‑new venture for the charity, Baxter highlighted the learning potential embedded in the experience. "This is our first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, so the feedback we collect will be priceless.
It will guide us in scaling up and refining future gaming events, making each one bigger and more effective than the last." Baxter also praised gamers and streamers as "the unsung heroes of fundraising," noting that the gaming ecosystem is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support. She described the community as one built around storytelling, imagination, and the joy of escaping into virtual worlds. "Gamers share a love of narrative and play that can be channeled into real‑world change," she said.
"When we turn that passion into a force for lasting impact, we demonstrate just how powerful and influential the gaming community can be." Save Point forms part of Save the Children's broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, slated to launch in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift the focus of the holiday season from material gifts to essential deliveries—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter—that many children will rely on this Christmas. "In the digital age, you can have almost anything delivered to your doorstep with a few taps," Baxter observed. "But for millions of children this year, the most crucial deliveries aren’t toys or sweets; they are the life‑saving supplies that protect their health and their futures." The Save Point fundraiser 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 personal fundraising livestream. Once registered, gamers will receive tools and tips for maximizing donations, from choosing engaging donation incentives to promoting their stream across social media platforms.
During the two‑day window, streamers will broadcast a variety of gaming content—speedruns, multiplayer battles, charity‑focused challenges, and community tournaments—while viewers are encouraged to donate directly through integrated fundraising platforms. The event will feature milestone goals, with each target unlocking special in‑game rewards, exclusive shout‑outs, or surprise appearances by well‑known creators, all designed to keep the audience engaged and motivated. In addition to the live streams, Save the Children plans to produce a series of behind‑the‑scenes videos that highlight the tangible impact of the funds raised. These updates will show how donations are turned into essential deliveries for children in need, reinforcing the connection between the gaming community’s generosity and real‑world outcomes.
Baxter believes that by blending entertainment with philanthropy, Save Point can inspire a new wave of charitable participation among younger audiences who might not have previously considered traditional fundraising events. "Gaming is a cultural force that reaches millions worldwide," she said. "By aligning our mission with that culture, we open doors to support that might otherwise remain closed." Looking ahead, the charity hopes that Save Point will become an annual fixture, evolving each year with fresh game titles, new streaming partners, and expanded charitable goals. "We’re just at the beginning of what gaming can do for humanitarian work," Baxter concluded.
"If this inaugural event proves successful, we’ll have a solid foundation to build upon, creating even larger, more impactful gaming‑driven campaigns that continue to change lives for the better."