This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑centric fundraiser, a live‑streamed event titled Save Point. The initiative, which blends interactive play with charitable giving, aims to tap into the enthusiasm of gamers worldwide and convert that energy into tangible support for children in need. Fiona Baxter, the organization’s senior fundraising manager, told GamesIndustry.biz that Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s relationship with the gaming community. “We wanted a platform where we could connect with gamers not just as occasional donors but as partners in a shared mission,” she explained.
“Traditional fundraisers like marathons are fantastic, but they’re not accessible to everyone. A gaming marathon invites anyone with a console or a PC to join, making participation far more inclusive.” The event will feature a collaboration with well‑known online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who has already demonstrated his commitment to the cause by raising over £5,000 for Save the Children earlier this year. Baxter emphasized that this partnership is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to cultivate ongoing relationships with influencers and everyday gamers alike. “Our goal is to keep the conversation going after the livestream ends,” she said.
“If we can introduce more people in this vibrant community to the work we do—and why it matters—we’ll have built a new cohort of supporters who will want to game for us again.” Baxter also highlighted the learning potential embedded in the venture. As Save the Children’s first foray into a gaming‑driven fundraiser, the organization anticipates a wealth of feedback that will inform future events.
“Every comment, every metric, every moment of engagement will help us refine our approach and scale up more ambitious gaming campaigns in the years to come,” she noted. Describing gamers and streamers as the "unsung heroes of fundraising," Baxter pointed out that the gaming world is establishing a fresh, innovative benchmark for charitable support. She remarked, “There’s a unique bond among game‑lovers—a love for storytelling, imagination, and the escape into new realms.
When we channel that passion into real‑world impact, we showcase just how powerful the gaming community can be.” Save Point is a cornerstone of the broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, which launches in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift the focus of holiday gifting from material presents to essential supplies that children in crisis desperately need—food, medication, warm clothing, and safe shelter.
Baxter underscored this message, saying, “In the digital age, we can order almost anything with a tap of a screen. Yet for millions of children this Christmas, the most vital deliveries are not toys but life‑saving essentials.” The two‑day event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026.
Participants will have the opportunity to register their interest, receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, and join a global audience of gamers united by a common purpose. By merging the excitement of competitive play with the urgency of humanitarian aid, Save Point aspires to demonstrate that entertainment and empathy can coexist in powerful ways.
Beyond the immediate fundraising goals, the initiative aims to foster a lasting cultural shift within the gaming sector. Baxter envisions a future where charitable collaborations become a standard feature of gaming culture, encouraging developers, publishers, and streamers to embed philanthropy into their core activities. "When we see the impact of a single livestream translating into meals, medicines, and safe spaces for children, it validates the idea that play can be a catalyst for profound societal change," she affirmed.
In summary, Save Point represents a pioneering step for Save the Children, leveraging the reach and enthusiasm of the gaming community to deliver critical aid to vulnerable children during the festive season. By offering an accessible, engaging platform for donors of all skill levels, the charity hopes to build a sustainable pipeline of support that extends well beyond the holiday period, ensuring that the spirit of giving endures throughout the year.