This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its very first gaming‑focused and live‑streaming fundraising campaign, branded "Save Point." The initiative is designed to tap into the enthusiasm of gamers and online audiences, turning playtime into a powerful vehicle for charitable giving. 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. "Save Point was born out of a wider desire to engage more with the gaming community," she said, emphasizing that the charity sees gaming not just as entertainment but as a fertile ground for partnership and individual support. "Not everyone can run a marathon or take part in a traditional physical challenge, so an event like this is far more accessible," Baxter explained.
"It allows us to showcase what a different type of supporter can achieve when we give them a platform that fits their interests and skills." By leveraging the interactive nature of video games and the reach of live streams, Save the Children hopes to attract a new demographic of donors who might otherwise feel disconnected from conventional fundraising formats. 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 illustrates the mutual benefits of collaboration: creators gain a meaningful cause to champion, while the charity gains exposure to a dedicated fan base.
Baxter expressed optimism that the relationship will extend beyond the event itself. "It would be incredible to reach more people in this community with information about the work we do and why it matters," she said. "I’ll consider it a huge success if we walk away with a fresh crew of supporters who want to game for us again because of their experience with Save Point." Because this is Save the Children’s first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, Baxter highlighted the learning potential inherent in the venture. "There are also a lot of learning opportunities in this event.
This is our first time doing this type of fundraiser, so the feedback we get will be invaluable and help us shape bigger and better gaming events year‑on‑year," she noted. The charity plans to use insights from participant surveys, viewership metrics, and donation patterns to refine future campaigns, aiming for ever‑greater impact.
Baxter praised gamers and streamers as "unsung heroes of fundraising," pointing out that the gaming world is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support. She described the community as one built on a shared love of stories, imagination, and the escape that interactive play provides. "By turning our love of gaming into a force for real‑world, lasting change, we're demonstrating just how powerful and impactful the gaming community can be," she added. Save Point forms part of the broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, slated to launch in November 2026.
This campaign seeks to shift the narrative around Christmas for millions of children who, instead of receiving toys and sweets, are awaiting essential supplies such as food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter. Baxter underscored the stark contrast: "Absolutely anything you could think of can be delivered right to your door at the tap of a screen. But for millions of children this Christmas, it’s not toys or treats they’re waiting for – it's the deliveries that will save lives and protect childhoods." The event itself will run over two days, from December 5 to December 6, 2026. During this window, participants can join live streams, compete in gaming challenges, and encourage their viewers to donate directly through integrated fundraising tools.
The platform will provide step‑by‑step guidance on setting up a personal fundraising livestream, from choosing a game that resonates with the audience to promoting the cause effectively. To get involved, interested individuals can register their interest via the Save Point sign‑up page. Once registered, they will receive detailed instructions on how to configure their streaming setup, embed donation links, and engage with the community in real time.
The charity also plans to feature a leaderboard showcasing top‑raising streamers, fostering a friendly competitive spirit that can further motivate contributions. Beyond the immediate financial goal, Save Point aims to cultivate a lasting network of gaming advocates who will champion Save the Children’s mission long after the event concludes. By demonstrating the tangible impact that virtual worlds can have on real‑world challenges, the charity hopes to inspire ongoing collaboration with developers, e‑sports teams, and online influencers. In summary, Save Point represents a bold experiment at the intersection of philanthropy and digital entertainment.
It offers a low‑barrier entry point for supporters who prefer sitting behind a keyboard to lacing up running shoes, while also providing Save the Children with fresh avenues for outreach, storytelling, and donor acquisition. As the event approaches, the organization is eager to see how the gaming community will respond, and whether this new model can become a staple in the charity’s fundraising toolkit for years to come.