This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a two‑day event dubbed "Save Point." The concept, which blends live streaming, video‑game play‑throughs, and charitable giving, is designed to tap into the enthusiasm of gamers and online audiences while raising vital resources for children in need. Fiona Baxter, the organisation’s senior fundraising manager, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that the idea for Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the gaming community. "We wanted a platform where we could interact with gamers not just as donors but as partners," Baxter explained. "Traditional fundraisers like marathons are fantastic, but they aren’t accessible to everyone.
By creating an event that revolves around gaming, we open the door for a whole new segment of supporters who might not otherwise engage with our work." The event will be anchored by a collaboration with popular content creator and Twitch streamer TheKapFantastic, who has previously helped Save the Children raise more than £5,000 earlier in the year. Baxter emphasised that this partnership is only the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to nurture relationships with influencers, developers, and everyday players.
"If we can demonstrate the impact of their involvement, we hope to build a sustainable community of gamers who will champion our cause time and again," she said. Save Point is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, and participants will be able to sign up through a dedicated registration page.
Once enrolled, they will receive guidance on how to set up a fundraising livestream, choose donation targets, and promote the event across their social channels. The charity aims to provide a toolkit that covers everything from technical set‑up to storytelling tips, ensuring that even newcomers to streaming feel confident and prepared. Baxter highlighted several key objectives for the initiative. First, the charity wants to raise awareness about its "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, which launches in November 2026.
The campaign draws attention to the fact that, for millions of children around the world, the most important gifts this Christmas will be essential supplies—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter—rather than toys or confectionery. "When you think about the power of a click‑to‑order system, you realise that delivering a blanket or a dose of medication is just as easy as ordering a video game," Baxter noted. "Our message is that the same technology that brings entertainment into homes can also bring life‑saving aid to those who need it most." The gaming community, according to Baxter, is uniquely positioned to champion this message. She described gamers and streamers as "the unsung heroes of fundraising," pointing out that many within the space share a love of narrative, imagination, and immersive worlds.
By channeling that passion into real‑world impact, the charity hopes to showcase the sector’s capacity for social good. "We’re not just asking people to donate; we’re inviting them to transform their hobby into a catalyst for change," she said. Because Save Point is a first‑time venture for Save the Children, the organisation anticipates a steep learning curve.
Baxter stressed that feedback from participants, viewers, and partners will be crucial for refining future events. "Every comment, every metric, every story we hear will help us shape larger, more ambitious gaming fundraisers in the years to come," she affirmed. "Our goal is to make each successive event bigger, better, and more inclusive." The event will feature a range of activities to keep audiences engaged throughout the two‑day window.
Planned highlights include speed‑run challenges, charity‑themed game tournaments, collaborative play‑throughs with multiple streamers, and interactive donation milestones where viewers can unlock in‑game rewards or trigger special on‑screen effects. Additionally, Save the Children will showcase short documentary clips that illustrate how the donations are being used on the ground, providing a tangible link between the virtual world and the children who benefit from the aid. To further broaden its reach, the charity is exploring partnerships with game developers who may contribute exclusive in‑game items or skins, with proceeds earmarked for the campaign. Such collaborations could not only boost fundraising totals but also embed the charitable message directly within popular gaming ecosystems, creating lasting awareness among players.
In summary, Save Point represents a strategic pivot for Save the Children, leveraging the growing influence of gaming culture to drive philanthropic action. By offering an accessible, entertaining, and purpose‑driven alternative to traditional fundraisers, the charity hopes to attract a diverse cohort of supporters— from seasoned streamers to casual players—who are eager to make a difference. As Baxter puts it, "If we walk away from this event with a new crew of gamers who want to keep playing for us, we’ll consider it a massive success." The event runs from December 5 to December 6, 2026. Interested individuals can register their interest via the official Save Point sign‑up page, where they will receive detailed instructions on launching a fundraising livestream and tips for maximizing their impact during the campaign.