This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising campaign, a live‑streamed event dubbed "Save Point." The initiative, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, merges the excitement of video games with the power of charitable giving, offering a novel way for supporters to contribute during the festive period. Fiona Baxter, the organization’s senior fundraising manager, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that the concept for Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the gaming community.
“We wanted to create a platform where gamers, content creators, and everyday fans could engage with our mission in a format that feels natural to them,” Baxter explained. “Not everyone can commit to a marathon or a long‑distance bike ride, but a gaming marathon is far more inclusive and allows a diverse range of participants to showcase what they can achieve for a good cause.” To bring the vision to life, Save the Children has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped the charity raise more than £5,000 earlier in the year. Baxter highlighted that this partnership is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to cultivate relationships with gamers and streamers beyond the event itself. “If we can introduce more people in this vibrant community to the work we do and why it matters, we’ll have taken a significant step forward,” she said.
“A true measure of success will be walking away with a fresh cohort of supporters who are eager to game for us again because of the positive experience they’ve had.” Baxter also emphasized the learning potential embedded in the inaugural fundraiser. “Because this is our first foray into a gaming‑centric campaign, the insights we gather—from viewer engagement to donation patterns—will be invaluable. They’ll help us refine and scale up future events, making each successive gaming fundraiser bigger and more impactful,” she noted.
Describing gamers and streamers as the "unsung heroes of fundraising," Baxter pointed out that the gaming world is forging a new, innovative standard for charitable support. She observed that many gamers share a deep appreciation for storytelling, imagination, and escapism—elements that can be harnessed to drive real‑world change.
“When we channel that passion for play into tangible assistance for children in need, we illustrate just how powerful the gaming community can be,” she added. Save Point forms a key component of Save the Children’s broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, which launches in November 2026.
The campaign aims to shift the holiday narrative for millions of children who, instead of receiving gifts, are awaiting essential supplies such as food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter. Baxter underscored this contrast, stating, “In the digital age, we can order almost anything with a tap of a screen.
Yet for countless children this Christmas, the most vital deliveries are not toys or treats—they are life‑saving provisions that protect their childhoods.” The event will run over two days, featuring a marathon of live gameplay, interactive challenges, and donation milestones. Participants can sign up to host their own fundraising streams, with guidance provided by the charity on how to set up a successful broadcast, promote the cause, and engage viewers.
By integrating donation alerts, leaderboards, and special in‑game rewards, Save Point aims to create a dynamic, community‑driven experience that encourages both casual gamers and hardcore enthusiasts to contribute. Beyond the live streams, Save the Children plans to amplify the impact through social media collaborations, exclusive in‑game items, and partnerships with game developers who may offer limited‑edition skins or content whose proceeds go directly to the campaign. These ancillary efforts are designed to extend the reach of the fundraiser beyond the event dates, fostering a sustained conversation about child welfare and the role of the gaming sector in philanthropy. Looking ahead, Baxter expressed optimism that the success of Save Point will pave the way for a series of recurring gaming events, each building on the lessons learned and expanding the network of gaming allies.
“We see a future where gaming and charitable work are seamlessly intertwined, where every tournament, livestream, or e‑sport competition includes a charitable component,” she said. “The potential is enormous, and we’re just scratching the surface.” For anyone interested in joining the movement, registration is now open.
By signing up, participants will receive detailed instructions on how to set up a fundraising livestream, access promotional assets, and connect with other supporters. This inclusive approach ensures that whether you are a seasoned streamer or a newcomer eager to make a difference, you can play a part in delivering essential aid to children who need it most this holiday season. In summary, Save Point represents a bold experiment at the intersection of entertainment and empathy. It leverages the immersive nature of gaming to rally a global audience around a pressing humanitarian cause, demonstrating that the power of play can be transformed into a force for lasting, positive change.