This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, branded Save Point. The new event blends video‑game play with live streaming to raise money and awareness for children in need during the festive period. Fiona Baxter, the charity’s senior fundraising manager, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that the concept for Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the organization’s connection with the gaming community. “We wanted to create a platform where gamers, whether they are casual players or professional streamers, could contribute in a way that feels natural to them,” Baxter explained.
“Not everyone can commit to a marathon or a long‑distance bike ride, but a gaming marathon is far more accessible and still allows supporters to demonstrate the impact they can have.” The event will be anchored by a partnership with popular online content creator and Twitch streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped the charity raise more than £5,000 earlier in the year. Baxter emphasized that this collaboration is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to cultivate relationships with influencers and gamers alike. “Our goal is to keep the conversation going after the event ends,” she said. “If we can introduce more people in the gaming space to the work we do and why it matters, we’ll have built a sustainable base of supporters who might return for future campaigns.” According to Baxter, the success of Save Point will be measured not only by the funds raised but also by the new connections forged.
“A huge win for us would be walking away with a fresh crew of gamers who feel inspired to continue supporting us, perhaps by hosting their own streams or organizing community tournaments,” she noted. “The feedback we gather will be priceless, helping us refine and expand our gaming‑centric fundraisers year after year.” Baxter described gamers and streamers as the "unsung heroes of fundraising," highlighting how the gaming world is beginning to set a new, innovative standard for charitable giving. She pointed out that many gamers share a love of storytelling, imagination, and immersive experiences, which can be channeled into real‑world impact.
“When we transform a passion for play into a vehicle for lasting change, we showcase just how powerful the gaming community can be,” she said. Save Point is part of a broader campaign titled "The One Delivery That Matters," which launches in November 2026.
The campaign aims to shift the focus of Christmas gifting from material toys to essential supplies for children in crisis—such as food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter. Baxter underscored the stark contrast between typical holiday deliveries and the life‑saving aid needed by millions of youngsters. “Anything can be ordered with a click these days, but for many children this Christmas, the most urgent deliveries are those that protect their health and future,” she remarked. The two‑day event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026.
Participants can sign up to join the fundraiser, receive guidance on setting up a livestream, and learn how to maximize donations through audience engagement tools. The format encourages individual gamers to host their own streams, invite friends and followers to donate, and compete in challenges that unlock additional funding milestones. Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, Save Point serves as a learning laboratory for the charity. Baxter highlighted that the organization is eager to capture insights on audience behavior, donation patterns, and technical logistics.
"Because this is our first foray into gaming‑based fundraising, the data we collect will shape larger, more ambitious events in the future," she said. "We want to build a roadmap that other nonprofits can follow, demonstrating that gaming can be a reliable and scalable channel for philanthropy." The partnership with TheKapFantastic also brings a narrative element to the campaign.
The streamer plans to share stories of children who have benefited from previous deliveries, weaving personal testimonies into the live broadcast. This storytelling approach aims to create an emotional connection that motivates viewers to contribute. "When you see a child’s face light up because they finally have a warm coat or a dose of medicine, it turns an abstract cause into something tangible," Baxter explained.
In addition to live streams, Save Point will feature interactive components such as in‑game challenges, donation leaderboards, and exclusive digital rewards for contributors. These elements are designed to keep participants engaged throughout the 48‑hour window and encourage friendly competition among different gaming crews.
The charity hopes that the event will not only raise substantial funds but also inspire a cultural shift within the gaming sector, positioning charitable action as a core part of the gaming experience. "We want gamers to see giving back as a natural extension of their hobby," Baxter concluded. "If we can embed philanthropy into the very fabric of gaming culture, we’ll unlock a powerful new avenue for supporting children in need worldwide."