This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a live‑streamed event dubbed Save Point. The concept emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the organisation’s connection with the gaming community, a sector that has shown growing enthusiasm for social impact. Fiona Baxter, the senior fundraising manager at Save the Children, told GamesIndustry.biz that the idea for Save Point was "born from a wider desire to engage more with the gaming community." She explained that the charity wanted to create a platform where both established partners and individual gamers could contribute in a way that felt natural to their interests and skills. "Save Point is allowing us to engage more with the gaming community, both from a partnership and individual supporter perspective.
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 said. By leveraging the interactive and social nature of video games and live streaming, the charity hopes to reach audiences who might not be drawn to traditional fundraising formats such as charity runs, bake sales, or gala dinners. The event will be anchored by a collaboration with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who has already demonstrated a strong commitment to the cause. Earlier in the year, TheKapFantastic raised more than £5,000 for Save the Children through a series of charity streams, proving that the gaming audience can mobilise significant financial support when given a clear and compelling call to action.
Looking beyond the immediate fundraiser, Baxter emphasised that the charity aims to forge lasting relationships with gamers, streamers, and the wider digital entertainment ecosystem. "It would be incredible to reach more people in this community with information about the work we do and why it's important," she noted.
"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 this is Save the Children’s first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, the organisation is treating the event as a learning laboratory. "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," Baxter added. The insights gathered—from viewer engagement metrics to donation patterns—will inform future campaigns, potentially scaling up to multi‑day tournaments, collaborative in‑game purchases, or even dedicated charity game releases. Baxter described gamers and streamers as the "unsung heroes of fundraising," highlighting how the gaming sphere is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support.
She pointed out that many gamers share a deep love for storytelling, imagination, and immersive worlds, which can be harnessed to drive 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 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 supplies for children in need during the festive period. While many families anticipate toys and sweets, millions of children around the globe will be awaiting life‑saving deliveries—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter. "Absolutely anything you could think of can be delivered right to your door at the tap of a screen," Baxter observed.
"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." By aligning the digital convenience of online shopping with the urgency of humanitarian aid, the charity hopes to inspire donors to view their contributions as vital deliveries rather than optional gifts. Save Point is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026. During the two‑day window, participants can join live streams, compete in charitable gaming challenges, and encourage their own networks to donate. The event will feature a mix of popular titles, community‑run tournaments, and special guest appearances from influencers who are passionate about the cause.
Individuals interested in taking part can register their interest through the official Save Point sign‑up page. Once registered, they will receive detailed guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, tips for engaging viewers, and resources to maximise donation potential. The charity also plans to provide technical support, promotional assets, and a toolkit to help participants craft compelling narratives around their gaming sessions. By merging the excitement of gaming with the urgency of humanitarian relief, Save Point aims to create a replicable model for future charity‑driven entertainment events.
If successful, it could pave the way for larger collaborations between NGOs and the gaming industry, demonstrating that virtual worlds can be powerful platforms for tangible, life‑changing impact.