This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its first ever gaming‑focused fundraising campaign, dubbed "Save Point." The initiative merges the excitement of video games with the power of live streaming to rally support for children in need during the festive period. Fiona Baxter, the organisation'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 a way to reach gamers not just as donors but as active participants in our mission," Baxter explained. "Traditional charity events like marathons are fantastic, but they aren't accessible to everyone. A gaming marathon offers a more inclusive platform where anyone with a console or a PC can join the cause." The event will feature a partnership with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise over £5,000 for Save the Children earlier in the year. Baxter emphasized that this collaboration is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to forge lasting relationships with influencers, gamers, and their audiences.
"Our goal is to keep the conversation going after the two‑day fundraiser ends. If we can turn casual viewers into dedicated supporters who return for future gaming events, we’ll have built a sustainable pipeline of advocacy and funding," she said. According to Baxter, the success of Save Point will be measured not only by the amount of money raised but also by the depth of engagement it creates. "If we walk away with a new crew of gamers who are excited to champion our work and perhaps even host their own streams for us, that will be a massive win," she noted.
"The feedback we gather will be crucial for refining our approach and scaling up future gaming‑centric fundraisers year after year." Baxter described gamers and streamers as "the unsung heroes of fundraising," highlighting how the gaming world is pioneering innovative ways to support charitable causes. She pointed out that many gamers share a love for storytelling, imagination, and immersive experiences, which can be harnessed to drive real‑world impact. "When we channel that passion into tangible change—whether it's funding food, medicine, warm clothing, or safe shelter—we showcase the profound influence the gaming community can wield," Baxter remarked. Save Point is a key component of Save the Children’s broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, slated to launch in November 2026.
The campaign seeks to shift the narrative around Christmas gifts for millions of vulnerable children, emphasizing that what they truly need are essential deliveries—nutritional supplies, medical aid, protective clothing, and secure sleeping arrangements—rather than toys or confectionery. "In the digital age, you can order almost anything with a click, and it arrives at your doorstep within hours," Baxter observed.
"For countless children this holiday season, however, the most critical deliveries are those that preserve life and protect childhood. Our message is simple: redirect the convenience of online shopping toward life‑saving aid." The two‑day Save Point event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026. Participants can sign up through the charity’s registration portal, where they will receive guidance on setting up a livestream, tips for engaging viewers, and resources for promoting their fundraising efforts.
The platform will provide tools for real‑time donation tracking, interactive challenges, and opportunities for viewers to contribute directly during the stream. Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, Save Point aims to educate the gaming audience about the broader work of Save the Children.
Throughout the streams, hosts will feature short documentaries, survivor stories, and expert interviews that illustrate how donations are transformed into concrete assistance on the ground. By weaving these narratives into the gaming experience, the charity hopes to foster a deeper emotional connection and inspire ongoing advocacy. The event also presents learning opportunities for both the charity and the gaming community. As this is Save the Children’s first foray into a gaming‑based fundraiser, the insights gathered—from technical logistics to audience engagement metrics—will inform future campaigns.
Baxter emphasized that the charity is eager to iterate on the model, potentially expanding to larger tournaments, collaborative cross‑game events, and even virtual reality experiences that immerse donors in the realities faced by children in crisis zones. In summary, Save Point represents a pioneering blend of entertainment and philanthropy, leveraging the reach and enthusiasm of the gaming sector to deliver essential aid to children worldwide during a time of heightened need. By inviting gamers to transform their playtime into a force for good, Save the Children hopes to set a new standard for charitable fundraising in the digital era. To join the movement, interested participants should register via the provided link, where they will receive all necessary information to launch their own fundraising livestream and become part of a global effort to ensure that every child receives the vital support they deserve this Christmas.