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 emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the organization’s connection with the world of video games, a sector that has grown into a vibrant community of creators, streamers, and enthusiastic players. Fiona Baxter, the charity’s senior fundraising manager, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that Save Point was "born from a wider desire to engage more with the gaming community," reflecting a strategic move to diversify fundraising avenues beyond traditional physical challenges like marathons. "Save Point gives us a platform to interact with gamers both at the partnership level and as individual supporters," Baxter explained.
"Not everyone can sign up for a marathon, but a gaming marathon is far more inclusive. It lets us highlight the impact that a different kind of supporter can have when they channel their passion for play into charitable action." By leveraging the accessibility of online streaming, the charity hopes to attract participants who might otherwise feel disconnected from conventional fundraising events. The initiative is being powered in part by a collaboration with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who has already demonstrated his commitment to the cause by raising over £5,000 for Save the Children earlier in the year. Baxter emphasized that the partnership is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to cultivate relationships with gamers, content creators, and their audiences.
"It would be incredible to reach more people in this community with information about the work we do and why it matters," she said. "I’ll consider the event a huge success if we walk away with a new crew of supporters who might want to game for us again because of their experience with us." Because this is Save Children’s first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, the organization anticipates a steep learning curve.
"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 noted. The insights gathered will inform future campaigns, potentially expanding the scope to include e‑sports tournaments, charity raids in massively multiplayer online games, and collaborative in‑game purchases where a portion of sales goes directly to the charity. Baxter praised 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 love for storytelling, imagination, and immersive worlds, which can be harnessed for real‑world impact. "There is an understanding among 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 a centerpiece of Save the Children’s broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, slated to launch in November 2026.
The campaign aims to shift the public’s focus from material gifts to essential deliveries that children in crisis need during the festive period—items such as nutritious food, vital medicines, warm clothing, and safe shelter. Baxter underscored the stark contrast between typical holiday shopping and the urgent needs of vulnerable children: "Absolutely anything you could think of can be delivered right to your door at the tap of a screen, 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." The Save Point event will run from December 5 to December 6, 2026. Participants can sign up by registering their interest through the provided link, after which they will receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, choosing donation platforms, and promoting their stream to maximize reach. The charity encourages both seasoned streamers and newcomers to get involved, offering resources such as overlay templates, donation trackers, and tips on engaging an audience.
Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, Save Point is designed to foster a lasting community of gaming‑aligned philanthropists. By creating a space where players can see the tangible outcomes of their streams—whether it’s a new school in a conflict‑affected region or emergency medical kits for a disaster‑hit area—the charity hopes to embed a culture of giving within the gaming ecosystem.
In the long run, this could translate into recurring donation streams, collaborative charity events with game developers, and even in‑game charity items that generate ongoing revenue for humanitarian projects. In summary, Save the Children’s Save Point represents an innovative blend of entertainment and empathy, tapping into the expansive reach of the gaming world to address critical needs during the holiday season. By inviting gamers to trade virtual victories for real‑world victories, the charity aims to demonstrate that the power of play can extend far beyond the screen, delivering hope, safety, and a brighter future to children who need it most.