This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a two‑day event titled Save Point, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026. The concept emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the vibrant gaming community, a sector that has shown an increasing appetite for social impact projects.
Fiona Baxter, the charity’s senior fundraising manager, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that the idea for Save Point was "born from a wider desire to engage more with the gaming community." She emphasized that the event offers a fresh avenue for both corporate partners and individual supporters to get involved. "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," Baxter explained. By leveraging the interactive nature of video games and the reach of live streaming platforms, Save Point aims to attract participants who might not otherwise take part in traditional charity runs, walks, or galas. The charity has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise over £5,000 for Save the Children earlier this year.
This partnership underscores the growing trend of influencers using their platforms to champion philanthropic causes. Baxter expressed enthusiasm about cultivating long‑term relationships with gamers and streamers beyond the immediate event.
"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 novel format for the charity, Baxter highlighted the learning potential embedded in the initiative. "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 insights gathered will inform future collaborations, potentially expanding into e‑sports tournaments, charity raids in massively multiplayer online games, and even virtual reality experiences designed to raise awareness and funds. 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 bound by a love of storytelling, imagination, and escapism, qualities that can be redirected toward tangible, real‑world 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," she said.
Save Point is a key component of Save the Children’s broader campaign, "The One Delivery That Matters," which launches in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift public attention from material gifts to essential deliveries that children in crisis need during the festive season—items such as nutritious food, vital medicines, warm clothing, and secure shelter. Baxter articulated this message poignantly: "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." Participants in Save Point can sign up through the event’s registration portal, where they will receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, choosing a charity goal, and engaging their audience with interactive challenges, donation alerts, and exclusive in‑game rewards. The charity encourages a variety of formats, from marathon gaming sessions and speed‑run challenges to collaborative multiplayer events where viewers can contribute directly to the fundraising total. The strategic timing of Save Point—coinciding with the peak holiday shopping period—allows the charity to tap into heightened consumer generosity while also offering an alternative to conventional gift‑giving. By framing donations as a form of digital participation, Save the Children hopes to attract a younger demographic that is accustomed to online interaction and virtual economies.
Looking ahead, Baxter hinted at the possibility of expanding Save Point into a recurring annual fixture, potentially integrating with major gaming conventions, launching limited‑edition in‑game items whose sales support the cause, and partnering with game developers to embed charitable mechanics directly into new releases. Such initiatives could amplify the impact of each event, turning what begins as a single weekend fundraiser into a sustained movement that continually channels the energy and enthusiasm of gamers toward humanitarian outcomes. In summary, Save Point represents a pioneering effort by Save the Children to harness the power of modern gaming culture for social good. By collaborating with influential streamers, offering an accessible platform for donors, and aligning the event with a compelling narrative about essential deliveries for children in need, the charity aims to set a precedent for future fundraising endeavors in the digital age.
Interested participants can register their interest now and will receive detailed instructions on how to launch a successful fundraising livestream that contributes to saving lives and preserving childhoods during the most vulnerable time of the year.