This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its first-ever game‑focused and livestream‑driven fundraising campaign, titled Save Point. The initiative, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, merges the excitement of interactive entertainment with the generosity of the gaming community to raise vital resources for children in need. Fiona Baxter, the charity’s senior fundraising manager, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that the concept for Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the organization’s connection with gamers.
"Save Point is allowing us to engage more with the gaming community, both from a partnership and individual supporter perspective. Not everyone can run a marathon, so an event like this is a lot more accessible and allows us to showcase what a different type of supporter can do," she explained. In other words, while traditional charity runs and walks demand physical stamina, a gaming marathon can be joined from a living room, making participation possible for a far wider audience.
To anchor the event, 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. The partnership illustrates how individual influencers can mobilise their followers for a cause, turning viewership numbers into tangible donations. Baxter emphasized that the charity hopes to nurture these relationships long after the two‑day fundraiser ends.
"It would be incredible to reach more people in this community with information about the work we do and why it's important," she said. "I will consider it a huge success if we walk away from this event with a new crew of supporters who might want to game for us again because of their experience with us." Because Save Point is a brand‑new format for the organization, Baxter highlighted the learning potential embedded in the event.
"There are also a lot of learning opportunities in this event. This is our first time doing this type of fundraiser, so the feedback we get will be invaluable and help us shape bigger and better gaming events year‑on‑year," she noted.
The charity plans to analyse data such as viewer counts, donation spikes, and participant feedback to refine future campaigns, ensuring each subsequent gaming fundraiser can raise more money and awareness than the last. Baxter also praised gamers and streamers as "unsung heroes of fundraising," pointing out that the gaming world is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support. She described the community as one built on storytelling, imagination, and the desire to escape into new realms.
By channeling that passion into real‑world impact, the sector demonstrates its capacity to drive lasting change. "There is an understanding between game‑lovers that we are a group of people who love stories, imagination and escaping to new worlds through the power of play. By turning our love of gaming into a force for real‑world, lasting change, we're demonstrating just how powerful and impactful the gaming community can be," Baxter added. Save Point forms part of the larger "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, which launches in November 2026.
The campaign seeks to shift public focus from traditional holiday gifts to essential supplies that children in crisis desperately need. While many families anticipate toys and sweets under the tree, millions of youngsters around the globe will be awaiting life‑saving deliveries—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter. Baxter illustrated this contrast vividly: "Absolutely anything you could think of can be delivered right to your door at the tap of a screen. But for millions of children this Christmas, it’s not toys or treats they’re waiting for – it's the deliveries that will save lives and protect childhoods." The mechanics of Save Point are straightforward.
Participants register their interest through a dedicated portal, receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, and then stream their gameplay over the two‑day window. Viewers can donate directly through integrated platforms, and many streamers will set personal fundraising targets, encouraging friendly competition and community engagement. The event also includes scheduled charity challenges—such as speed‑run attempts, in‑game charity raids, and collaborative multiplayer sessions—to keep the audience entertained and motivated to give. Beyond the immediate financial goal, Save Point aims to cultivate a lasting ambassador network of gamers who will champion the charity’s mission in future endeavors.
By providing a low‑barrier entry point, the event hopes to attract newcomers who might not have previously considered philanthropy but are drawn in by their love of gaming. Over time, these ambassadors could become repeat donors, volunteer coordinators, or even advocates who introduce other creators to the cause. In summary, Save Point represents a pioneering blend of digital entertainment and humanitarian aid. It leverages the global reach of streaming platforms, the passion of the gaming community, and the strategic vision of Save the Children’s fundraising team to deliver essential supplies to children who need them most during the holiday season.
As the event approaches, the charity invites anyone interested in making a difference to sign up, learn how to host a livestream, and join a growing movement that proves play can be a powerful catalyst for change.