This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its very first gaming‑focused fundraiser, an event titled Save Point, which will blend video‑game play with live streaming to raise money for vulnerable children worldwide. 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, a demographic that has shown increasing enthusiasm for social‑impact causes.
"Save Point gives us a new avenue to interact with gamers, both through strategic partnerships and through individual supporters who might not be able to take part in traditional endurance challenges like marathons," Baxter explained. "Not everyone can run 26.2 miles, but a gaming marathon is far more inclusive, allowing us to showcase how a different kind of participant can make a tangible difference." The charity has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, a figure who already demonstrated his charitable spirit earlier this year by raising more than £5,000 for Save the Children during a separate campaign.
Baxter emphasized that the partnership is just the beginning of what she hopes will become a lasting relationship with the broader gaming and streaming ecosystem. "Our goal is to keep nurturing these connections long after the event concludes," she said. "If we can introduce more members of the gaming community to the work we do and why it matters, we’ll have taken a big step forward. Success for us will look like a new cohort of gamers who, after experiencing Save Point, are eager to join future gaming‑for‑good initiatives." Because this is Save the Children’s first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, the team anticipates a steep learning curve.
"There are countless learning opportunities embedded in this event," Baxter noted. "The feedback we gather will be priceless, helping us refine and scale up gaming‑based fundraisers year after year." Baxter also highlighted the often‑overlooked role that gamers and streamers play in the charitable sector, describing them as "the unsung heroes of fundraising." She pointed out that the gaming world is setting a "new, innovative standard" for how charitable causes can be supported, leveraging the community’s love of narrative, imagination, and immersive experiences. "Gamers are united by a passion for stories, for escaping into new realms, and for the collaborative spirit that games foster," she said. "When we channel that enthusiasm toward real‑world impact, we demonstrate just how powerful and effective the gaming community can be in driving lasting change." Save Point is integrated into Save the Children’s broader campaign, "The One Delivery That Matters," which launches 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. "In the digital age, virtually anything can be delivered to a doorstep with a few clicks," Baxter remarked. "But for millions of children this Christmas, the deliveries they’re hoping for aren’t toys or sweets; they’re life‑saving supplies that protect their health and future." The Save Point event is scheduled for a two‑day window, running from December 5 to December 6, 2026.
Participants will be able to sign up through a dedicated registration portal, where they will receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, tips for engaging viewers, and resources to help maximize donations. By merging the excitement of gaming with the altruistic drive of charitable giving, Save the Children hopes to create a replicable model that other nonprofits can adopt. The organization envisions a future where gaming marathons become as commonplace as charity runs, offering a flexible, inclusive, and highly engaging platform for supporters of all ages and abilities. In summary, Save Point represents a strategic pivot for Save the Children, tapping into the cultural momentum of the gaming sector to broaden its donor base, raise awareness, and ultimately deliver critical resources to children in need during the most vulnerable time of the year.
The event promises not only to generate funds but also to forge enduring relationships with a community that is eager to turn play into purpose.