This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑centric and live‑streaming fundraiser, an event dubbed Save Point. The initiative, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, represents a strategic push to tap into the vibrant world of video games and online streaming as a new avenue for raising vital funds for children in need.
Fiona Baxter, the senior fundraising manager at Save the Children, told GamesIndustry.biz that the concept of Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the gaming community. “We wanted to create a platform where gamers, content creators, and their audiences could rally around a shared purpose,” Baxter explained.
“Not everyone can train for a marathon or take part in a traditional charity walk, so a digital‑first event like this offers a more inclusive way for people to get involved and demonstrate the impact they can have.” The charity has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who earlier this year helped raise more than £5,000 for Save the Children through his own channel. This partnership is intended to showcase how individual influencers can mobilise their followers for a cause, while also illustrating the broader potential for corporate‑level collaborations within the gaming ecosystem.
Baxter emphasized that the charity’s goal extends beyond a single weekend of fundraising. “We hope to forge lasting relationships with gamers, streamers, and the wider audience that watches them,” she said. “If we can introduce more people to the work we do and why it matters, we’ll have turned a one‑off event into a sustainable pipeline of supporters who will continue to champion our mission.” She added that success will be measured not only by the amount of money raised, but also by the new community of advocates that emerges from the experience. “If we walk away with a fresh crew of gamers who feel inspired to partner with us again, that will be a massive win,” Baxter noted.
“Their enthusiasm and personal stories will become a powerful testament to the value of gaming‑based philanthropy.” Because Save Point is a first‑time effort for the organization, Baxter highlighted the learning opportunities inherent in the venture. “We’ll be gathering feedback from participants, viewers, and partners to refine our approach,” she said.
“That insight will help us design even bigger, more engaging gaming events in the years to come, scaling both impact and participation.” Describing gamers and streamers as the "unsung heroes of fundraising," Baxter pointed out that the gaming arena is rapidly becoming a trailblazer for innovative charitable models. She observed, "There’s a shared understanding among game‑lovers that we’re a community driven by stories, imagination, and the desire to explore new worlds.
When we channel that passion into real‑world change, we demonstrate just how potent the gaming culture can be when it’s harnessed for good." Save Point is a cornerstone 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 the typical holiday gift‑giving narrative to the stark reality that millions of children will be awaiting essential deliveries this Christmas—items such as nutritious food, life‑saving medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter rather than toys or confectionery. Baxur illustrated the contrast with a vivid analogy: "Just as you can order anything to your doorstep with a tap on a screen, for countless children this season the ‘delivery’ they need is one that saves lives and preserves childhood.
Our message is that the power of technology and community can turn a simple act of clicking into a lifeline for those most vulnerable.” The two‑day Save Point event will feature a series of live streams, gaming marathons, and interactive challenges. Participants can sign up to host their own fundraising streams, with the platform providing tools to track donations, share progress, and engage audiences through chat, polls, and exclusive in‑game rewards. The charity also plans to integrate special in‑game items and skins that players can purchase, with 100% of proceeds directed to the campaign.
In addition to the main streaming schedule, Save the Children will host panel discussions with industry leaders, game developers, and humanitarian experts to explore how digital entertainment can intersect with social impact. These sessions aim to educate both creators and viewers on the mechanics of charitable giving within the gaming sphere, from transparent donation pathways to the importance of storytelling in motivating contributions. For those interested in joining the effort, registration is open via a dedicated landing page.
Once signed up, participants receive a toolkit that includes branding assets, suggested donation tiers, and technical guidance on setting up a high‑quality livestream. The charity also offers mentorship from experienced streamers, ensuring that newcomers feel confident and equipped to maximize their fundraising potential.
Overall, Save Point represents a bold experiment in merging entertainment with empathy, leveraging the reach of online platforms to bring attention—and crucial resources—to children facing hardship during the holiday season. By inviting gamers to transform their pastime into purposeful action, Save the Children hopes to set a precedent for future collaborations that blend play, technology, and philanthropy in service of a brighter, more equitable world.