This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused and live‑streaming charity event, aptly named Save Point. The initiative is designed to tap into the enthusiasm of gamers and online audiences, turning playtime into a powerful vehicle for raising funds and awareness for children in need. 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 an avenue where both partners and individual supporters from the gaming world could get involved,” Baxter explained. “Not everyone is able to take part in a marathon or a traditional fundraising walk, so an event built around gaming is far more inclusive and showcases the unique contributions that a different kind of supporter can make.” To bring the vision to life, Save the Children has teamed up with popular content creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped the charity raise over £5,000 earlier in the year. This collaboration underscores the potential of influencer partnerships to amplify charitable messages and drive tangible donations through interactive platforms.
Looking beyond the immediate event, Baxter emphasized the charity’s intention to nurture ongoing relationships with gamers, streamers, and their audiences. “If we can reach a wider segment of this community and educate them about the impact of our work, that would be a massive win,” she said. “I’ll consider the event a resounding success if, after it concludes, we have a new cohort of supporters who are eager to game for us again because of the positive experience they had.” Because Save Point marks Save the Children’s first foray into this format, the organization anticipates a steep learning curve. “There are countless learning opportunities embedded in this event,” Baxter noted.
“The feedback we collect will be invaluable, helping us refine and scale future gaming‑centric fundraisers year after year.” Baxter also highlighted the pivotal role that gamers and streamers play in modern philanthropy, describing them as the "unsung heroes of fundraising." She observed that the gaming arena is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support, driven by a community that values storytelling, imagination, and immersive experiences. "When we channel our passion for gaming into real‑world change, we demonstrate just how influential and impactful the gaming community can be," she added. Save Point forms part of the broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, slated to launch in November 2026.
This campaign aims to shift the seasonal narrative away from material gifts and toward essential deliveries that children desperately need during the winter months—such as nutritious food, vital medicines, warm clothing, and safe shelter. Baxter pointed out the stark contrast between typical holiday shopping and the life‑saving supplies that many children await. "Anything you can imagine can be delivered to your doorstep with a tap on a screen," she said. "But for millions of children this Christmas, it’s not toys they’re hoping for—it’s the deliveries that will safeguard their health and preserve their childhoods." The Save Point event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026.
Participants will have the opportunity to register their interest, receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, and join a growing movement that merges entertainment with empathy. By turning a weekend of gaming into a catalyst for change, Save the Children hopes to inspire both seasoned gamers and newcomers alike to contribute their time, talent, and audiences to a cause that matters deeply. In addition to the live streams, the charity plans to incorporate interactive challenges, leaderboards, and exclusive in‑game rewards to keep viewers engaged and motivated to donate. These gamified elements are intended to create a sense of community and friendly competition, encouraging higher fundraising totals while fostering a supportive environment for participants.
Moreover, Save Point will feature educational segments that spotlight the specific needs of children in crisis zones, illustrating how each contribution translates into tangible outcomes—whether it’s delivering a warm coat to a child in a cold climate or providing life‑saving medication to a remote village. By weaving storytelling into the gaming experience, the charity aims to deepen donors’ emotional connection to the cause. The partnership with TheKapFantastic will also include collaborative gameplay sessions, Q&A panels, and behind‑the‑scenes looks at how the fundraiser is organized, offering transparency and building trust with the audience.
This level of openness is expected to encourage repeat participation and long‑term advocacy within the gaming community. Overall, Save Point represents a bold experiment in modern philanthropy, leveraging the expansive reach of digital entertainment to address urgent humanitarian needs. If successful, it could set a precedent for other nonprofits to explore similar avenues, proving that the power of play can indeed be harnessed for profound, life‑changing impact.