This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its very first gaming‑focused fundraiser, a two‑day livestream extravaganza titled Save Point. The initiative, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, merges the excitement of video games with the power of online community fundraising, aiming to tap into a demographic that often seeks new ways to contribute to social causes.
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 world. “We wanted to create a platform where we could interact with gamers not only as partners but also as individual supporters,” Baxter explained.
“Not everyone can sign up for a marathon or a long‑distance bike ride, so an event like this offers a more inclusive avenue for people to get involved and demonstrate how a different kind of supporter can make a real impact.” To give the event a recognizable face, Save the Children has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously generated more than £5,000 for the charity earlier in the year. Baxter emphasized that the partnership is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to nurture relationships with gamers, content creators, and their audiences beyond the immediate fundraiser. “If we can reach a larger segment of this community with clear information about the work we do and why it matters, we’ll have taken a big step forward,” she said.
“I’ll consider the event a massive success if it leaves us with a fresh crew of supporters who are eager to game for us again after experiencing what we have to offer.” Because Save Point marks the charity’s first foray into this format, Baxter highlighted the learning potential embedded in the venture. “The feedback we collect will be priceless,” she noted. “It will help us refine and scale up future gaming‑centric events, making them bigger and more effective year after year.” Baxter also praised gamers and streamers as the “unsung heroes of fundraising,” pointing out that the gaming sector is setting a new, innovative standard for charitable support.
She observed that many gamers share a love for storytelling, imagination, and the escapism that interactive play provides. By channeling that passion into tangible, real‑world change, the community can showcase its capacity for influence. “When we turn our enthusiasm for games into a force for lasting, positive change, we prove just how powerful the gaming community can be,” she asserted.
Save Point is integrated into Save the Children’s broader campaign, “The One Delivery That Matters,” which launches in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift the public’s focus 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 safe shelter.
Baxter underscored the stark contrast between typical holiday expectations and the urgent needs of millions of youngsters. “Anything you can imagine can be delivered to a doorstep with a tap of a screen,” she said. “But for countless children this Christmas, it isn’t toys or sweets they’re waiting for—it’s the life‑saving supplies that protect their childhoods.” Participants in Save Point can sign up through a dedicated registration link, which will also provide guidance on setting up a personal fundraising livestream. The charity encourages both seasoned streamers and newcomers to join, offering resources on how to integrate donation prompts, share compelling narratives about the children they’re helping, and engage viewers with interactive gaming challenges.
The event’s structure is designed to be dynamic and inclusive. Over the two‑day period, a schedule of gaming marathons, charity tournaments, and collaborative play sessions will be streamed on major platforms such as Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Facebook Gaming. Viewers will have multiple ways to contribute: direct donations via integrated payment links, purchasing in‑game items whose proceeds go to Save the Children, and participating in viewer‑driven challenges that unlock additional funding milestones.
Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, Save Point aims to foster a lasting community of gaming‑focused philanthropists. By showcasing success stories—such as TheKapFantastic’s earlier £5,000 contribution—and highlighting the tangible outcomes of donations (for example, the number of meals provided or blankets distributed), the event hopes to inspire repeat engagement. Baxter believes that building this rapport will not only benefit future campaigns but also embed charitable giving into the everyday culture of gaming. In summary, Save Point represents a pioneering blend of entertainment and altruism, leveraging the reach and enthusiasm of the gaming ecosystem to address urgent humanitarian needs.
By inviting gamers, streamers, and their audiences to rally around a common cause, Save the Children hopes to demonstrate that the power of play can extend far beyond the screen, delivering hope and essential resources to children who need them most this Christmas.