This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its very first gaming‑focused fundraising campaign, called Save Point. The initiative blends video‑game play, live streaming, and charitable giving into a single, accessible event that aims to draw in both seasoned gamers and newcomers alike. Fiona Baxter, the organization’s senior fundraising manager, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that the concept for Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the gaming community. “We wanted to create 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 feasible for everyone. A gaming‑centric event lowers the barrier to entry, allowing a wider range of supporters to contribute in a way that feels natural to them.” The charity has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise more than £5,000 for Save the Children earlier in the year. This partnership underscores the organization’s strategy of leveraging influential personalities within the gaming space to amplify its message and reach.
Looking beyond the immediate event, Baxter emphasized the importance of cultivating lasting relationships with gamers and streamers. “If we can introduce more people in this community to the work we do and why it matters, that’s a win in the long run,” she said. “Success for us will be measured not just by the dollars raised on the two‑day window, but by the new cohort of supporters who continue to game for our cause after the event ends.” Because Save Point is a first‑time venture for the charity, Baxter also highlighted the learning potential embedded in the project.
“We’ll be gathering feedback from participants, partners, and viewers, and that data will be crucial for refining future gaming‑focused fundraisers,” she noted. “Our goal is to build on this experience and deliver ever‑larger, more impactful events year after year.” Describing gamers and streamers as “the unsung heroes of fundraising,” Baxter praised the sector for setting a novel, forward‑thinking standard in charitable support. She pointed out that many gamers share a love for storytelling, imagination, and immersive worlds, and that this passion can be redirected toward tangible, real‑world change. “When we turn the joy of play into a catalyst for lasting impact, we demonstrate just how powerful the gaming community can be,” she said.
Save Point is part of the broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, which launches in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift public attention from the usual holiday gift‑giving narrative to the pressing needs of children who are awaiting essential supplies this Christmas—items such as nutritious food, vital medication, warm clothing, and safe shelter.
Baxter illustrated the contrast vividly: “Anyone can order a gadget or a toy with a few clicks, but for millions of children this season, the most valuable deliveries are the ones that preserve life and protect childhood.” The event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026. Participants can sign up by registering their interest through the provided link, which also supplies guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream.
Once registered, gamers can choose to stream their gameplay on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, or Facebook Gaming, encouraging viewers to donate directly to Save the Children. The charity will provide tools, branding assets, and real‑time donation trackers to help streamers showcase progress and keep audiences engaged. Beyond the live streams, Save Point will feature a series of mini‑challenges and milestones designed to keep momentum high throughout the two‑day period.
For example, streamers might aim to reach a certain number of concurrent viewers, complete a specific in‑game quest, or unlock community‑wide goals that trigger additional matching donations from corporate partners. These gamified elements not only make the fundraising experience more interactive but also encourage friendly competition among participants, driving higher overall contributions. In addition to individual streamers, the charity is courting collaborations with game developers and publishers. Potential partnerships could include in‑game items whose purchase triggers a donation, limited‑edition skins, or special events within popular titles that raise awareness for the cause.
Such integrations would allow players who may not be active streamers to still contribute simply by engaging with their favorite games. The impact of the funds raised will be directed toward the core objectives of the "One Delivery That Matters" campaign.
Save the Children plans to allocate resources to emergency food parcels, medical kits, winter clothing drives, and temporary housing solutions in regions where children are most vulnerable during the holiday season. By linking the act of gaming to these concrete outcomes, the organization hopes to illustrate a clear line between digital participation and real‑world relief. Baxter concluded with a hopeful outlook: “We are thrilled to pioneer this new avenue of fundraising.
If we can inspire even a handful of gamers to see their hobby as a vehicle for change, we will have taken a significant step toward reshaping how charities engage with modern audiences. The gaming community has the creativity, reach, and enthusiasm to set a precedent that other sectors will follow.” Save Point represents a bold experiment in merging entertainment with philanthropy, and its success could pave the way for a new generation of charitable events that are as inclusive and dynamic as the audiences they aim to serve.