This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, dubbed Save Point. The new venture blends live streaming, interactive play, and charitable giving into a single, accessible event that aims to draw in both seasoned gamers and newcomers alike. Fiona Baxter, the organisation’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 a way to reach gamers not just as donors, but as partners and active participants,” she explained.
“Not everyone can sign up for a marathon or a long‑distance bike ride, but a gaming marathon is something many people can join from the comfort of their own homes.” By framing the fundraiser around a shared love of games, Save Point offers a more inclusive alternative to traditional physical challenges. Baxter emphasised that this approach showcases the diverse ways supporters can contribute: "It’s about giving people a chance to show what they can do in a space they already enjoy, turning a hobby into a powerful tool for change." The charity has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise over £5,000 for Save the Children earlier in the year. This partnership illustrates the growing trend of influencers leveraging their platforms for social good. Baxter expressed enthusiasm about nurturing these relationships beyond the event itself.
"If we can introduce more gamers and streamers to the impact of our work, we’ll have built a lasting community of advocates who will keep coming back for future campaigns," she said. She added that the success of Save Point will be measured not only by the funds raised, but also by the new network of supporters it cultivates: "A true win would be walking away with a fresh crew of gamers who are inspired to keep playing for our cause, because they’ve had a positive experience with us." Because this is Save the Children’s first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, the team anticipates a steep learning curve. "We expect to gather a wealth of feedback that will inform larger, more ambitious gaming events in the years to come," Baxter noted.
The insights gathered will help refine technical logistics, audience engagement strategies, and partnership models, ensuring each subsequent event builds on the last. Baxter also praised gamers and streamers as the "unsung heroes of fundraising," highlighting how the gaming arena is setting a "new, innovative standard" for charitable support. She described the community as one united by a love of narrative, imagination, and immersive worlds, and argued that channeling that passion toward real‑world impact demonstrates the sector’s considerable influence.
"When we transform our enthusiasm for play into a force for lasting change, we prove just how potent the gaming community can be," she said. Save Point forms part of the broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, which launches in November 2026. This campaign seeks to shift the focus of the holiday season from consumerism to essential aid, reminding audiences that for millions of children, the most important gifts are not toys but life‑saving supplies. Baxter underscored this point, noting, "Anything you can order with a click can be delivered to your door, but for many children this Christmas, what they need isn’t a new game or a candy bar—it’s food, medicine, warm clothing, and a safe place to sleep." The event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, and will be streamed live across multiple platforms.
Participants can sign up in advance to receive guidance on setting up their own fundraising livestreams, from technical tips to promotional ideas. By encouraging individual streamers to host their own mini‑marathons, Save the Children hopes to multiply reach and create a ripple effect of donations. In addition to the live streams, the charity plans to incorporate interactive challenges, such as in‑game donation milestones, exclusive digital rewards for donors, and collaborative gameplay sessions featuring well‑known creators.
These elements are designed to keep viewers engaged, foster a sense of community, and provide tangible incentives for contributions. The partnership with TheKapFantastic will also include a special charity match, where the streamer will play a popular title alongside invited guests, with each milestone unlocking additional funds for the cause. Viewers will be able to track progress in real time through a dedicated leaderboard displayed on the stream, adding a competitive edge that encourages higher donation totals.
Beyond the immediate fundraising goals, Save Point aims to raise awareness about the broader challenges facing children in crisis zones. Throughout the event, short documentary clips and survivor testimonies will be interspersed between gaming segments, offering a poignant reminder of why the donations matter.
This blend of entertainment and education seeks to deepen empathy and inspire long‑term advocacy. By marrying the immersive world of gaming with the urgent need for humanitarian aid, Save the Children hopes to set a precedent for future collaborations between the charity sector and digital entertainment.
Baxter concluded with optimism: "If we can prove that a gaming marathon can deliver real, measurable impact, we’ll open the door for countless other organisations to explore similar models. The possibilities are as limitless as the games we love to play." To join Save Point, interested participants can register via the provided link, where they’ll receive a toolkit covering everything from streaming software recommendations to best practices for promoting their fundraiser on social media.
Whether you’re a seasoned streamer or a casual player looking to make a difference, Save Point offers a unique platform to turn your screen time into a force for good.