This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused and livestream‑driven fundraiser, an event dubbed "Save Point." The initiative, scheduled for early December, aims to tap into the enthusiasm of the gaming community and turn screen time into tangible support for vulnerable children around the world. 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 gamers. "We wanted a way to reach out to the gaming audience that felt natural for them," she explained.
"Save Point gives us a platform to collaborate with creators and also to invite individual supporters to take part in something that feels more accessible than, say, a marathon or a walkathon. Not everyone can commit to a long‑distance run, but many people can log a few hours of gameplay or host a livestream, and that can still make a huge difference." To bring the event to life, Save the Children has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, a figure who already has a proven track record of raising funds for the charity – more than £5,000 was donated during a previous campaign earlier this year. Baxter emphasised that this partnership is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to nurture relationships with gamers, influencers and the broader digital entertainment ecosystem. "If we can walk away from Save Point with a new crew of enthusiastic supporters who want to keep gaming for us, that will be a massive win," she said.
"Our hope is that the experience will inspire them to organise their own streams, join future events, and become ambassadors for the cause." Because this is Save the charity's first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, the team is keen to treat the event as a learning laboratory. "We’ll be gathering feedback from participants, viewers and partners, and that data will shape bigger, more ambitious gaming events in the years to come," Baxter noted. She described gamers and streamers as "the unsung heroes of fundraising," pointing out that the gaming sector is beginning to set a new, innovative standard for charitable support. The underlying philosophy, according to Baxter, is rooted in the shared love of narrative, imagination and escapism that unites gamers.
"We’re a community that thrives on stories and the ability to step into new worlds," she said. "When we channel that passion into real‑world impact, we demonstrate just how powerful the gaming community can be in driving lasting change." Save Point is integrated into Save the Children’s broader campaign titled "The One Delivery That Matters," which launches in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift the public’s focus from traditional holiday gifts to the essential items that many children desperately need during the festive season – food, medicine, warm clothing and safe shelter.
Baxter highlighted the stark contrast between the consumer‑driven expectations of the holiday period and the reality faced by millions of children. "Anything you can order with a tap of a screen can be delivered to your doorstep," she remarked. "For countless children this Christmas, however, the most critical deliveries aren’t toys or sweets – they’re the supplies that will keep them alive and protect their childhoods." The Save Point event will run over two days, from December 5 to December 6, 2026.
During this window, participants can sign up to host their own fundraising livestreams, organize gaming marathons, or simply donate while watching their favourite creators play. The charity has set up a registration portal where interested individuals can express their intent to take part and receive guidance on how to set up a successful fundraising stream, from technical requirements to promotional tips.
Beyond the immediate financial goals, Save Point is designed to foster a sense of community among gamers who want to make a difference. By providing a structured yet flexible framework, the charity hopes to lower the barriers to entry for anyone who enjoys playing video games but may not have considered philanthropy as part of their routine. The event also offers a platform for smaller creators to gain exposure while contributing to a cause, thereby creating a virtuous cycle of awareness and support. Looking ahead, Baxter is optimistic that the insights gained from Save Point will inform a series of future initiatives that blend entertainment with empathy.
"We’re just scratching the surface of what’s possible when we align the interactive nature of gaming with the urgent needs of children worldwide," she concluded. "If this first event proves successful, we’ll be able to scale up, involve more partners, and ultimately turn the power of play into a sustained engine for positive change." For those eager to join the movement, the registration link is live, and additional resources—including step‑by‑step guides on setting up a livestream, ideas for engaging content, and tips on maximizing donations—are readily available on the Save the Children website. By turning a few hours of gaming into a lifeline for children in need, participants can help ensure that the most vulnerable receive the essential deliveries that truly matter this holiday season.