This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its very first game‑centric and streaming‑driven fundraiser, an initiative dubbed Save Point. The event, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, aims to merge the excitement of interactive entertainment with the generosity of online audiences, creating a novel avenue for supporters to contribute to the organisation’s mission.
Fiona Baxter, Senior Fundraising Manager at Save the Children, told GamesIndustry.biz that Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the gaming community. "Save Point gives us a platform to engage gamers not only through corporate partnerships but also via individual contributors," Baxter explained.
"While not everyone can sign up for a marathon or a long‑distance bike ride, a gaming marathon is far more inclusive, allowing a diverse range of participants to demonstrate how different types of supporters can make a tangible impact." The charity has teamed up with well‑known online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who earlier in the year raised over £5,000 for Save the Children during a personal fundraising push. Baxter emphasised that the partnership is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to cultivate relationships with gamers, influencers, and content creators beyond the lifespan of this single event.
"If we can reach more people within this vibrant community and share the story of what we do and why it matters, that would be a massive win," she said. "I’ll consider the event a resounding success if we walk away with a fresh cohort of supporters who are eager to return to the virtual battlefield for our cause, motivated by a positive experience." Because Save Point is a first‑time venture for the charity, Baxter highlighted the learning potential inherent in the format.
"We’re gathering real‑time feedback from participants, viewers, and partners, which will be invaluable as we refine and expand our gaming‑focused fundraising model in future years," she noted. The insights will help shape larger, more ambitious events that can attract even greater audiences and donations. Baxter praised gamers and streamers as "the unsung heroes of fundraising," pointing out that the gaming arena is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support.
She described the culture of gamers as one built around storytelling, imagination, and escapism, and argued that channeling that passion into concrete social impact showcases the sector’s capacity for real‑world change. "When we convert our love for games into a catalyst for lasting improvement in children’s lives, we illustrate just how powerful and influential the gaming community can be," she asserted.
Save Point is a component of Save the Children’s broader campaign titled "The One Delivery That Matters," which launches in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift public attention from traditional holiday gifts to the essential supplies that many children will need this Christmas—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter. Baxter underscored the stark contrast between the typical consumer mindset and the urgent needs of vulnerable children: "Anything you can order with a tap of a screen can be delivered to your door, but for millions of kids this season, it isn’t toys they’re hoping for—it’s lifesaving deliveries that protect their childhoods." The two‑day Save Point marathon will feature a series of live streams, gaming challenges, and collaborative play sessions, all designed to encourage viewers to donate directly through integrated fundraising tools. Participants can sign up in advance via a dedicated registration page, where they will receive guidance on setting up their own livestreams, tips for engaging audiences, and resources to maximize donation potential.
By leveraging the interactive nature of gaming, Save the Children hopes to create a dynamic fundraising environment where donors feel a personal connection to the cause. The charity plans to showcase real‑time donation tallies, share stories from children benefiting from the deliveries, and highlight the tangible outcomes of each contribution.
This transparency aims to reinforce the message that every pound donated translates into critical aid for children facing hardship during the holiday season. In addition to the primary fundraising goal, Save Point serves as a pilot for future collaborations between the nonprofit sector and the gaming industry.
The charity intends to explore partnerships with game developers, esports teams, and platform providers to embed charitable mechanics directly into games, such as in‑game purchase options that allocate a portion of proceeds to Save the Children. Overall, Save Point represents a strategic move by Save the Children to tap into a rapidly growing cultural phenomenon and harness its potential for social good.
By aligning the excitement of gaming with the urgency of delivering essential supplies to children in need, the charity aims to set a precedent for how digital entertainment can be mobilised for humanitarian impact. The success of this inaugural event could pave the way for a new era of charitable fundraising—one where play, community, and compassion intersect to create meaningful change.