This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a two‑day event titled Save Point. The campaign, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, blends live‑streamed gameplay with a charitable donation drive, aiming to tap into the enthusiasm of gamers worldwide and translate that energy into tangible support for children in need. Fiona Baxter, Save the Children’s senior fundraising manager, told GamesIndustry.biz that the concept for Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the interactive‑entertainment community. “We wanted a way to reach people who might not be able to take part in a traditional marathon or a gala, but who love to play and watch games,” Baxter explained.
“Save Point gives us a platform to engage both partners and individual supporters in a format that feels natural to them.” The event is being built around a partnership with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, a content‑maker who already has a track record of supporting the charity, having raised more than £5,000 earlier in the year. Together, they will host a series of live streams, challenges, and community‑driven fundraising milestones throughout the two‑day window. Viewers will be encouraged to donate directly via integrated platforms, with the option to set up their own fundraising streams to amplify the cause. Baxter emphasized that the charity sees this as the beginning of a longer‑term relationship with the gaming world.
“If we can walk away from Save Point with a new cohort of supporters who are excited to game for us again, that will be a massive win,” she said. “Our hope is that the event sparks ongoing conversations about the work we do, and that gamers become regular ambassadors for children’s rights and welfare.” Because this is Save the Children’s first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, the organization is approaching the venture as a learning experience.
“We’ll be gathering feedback from participants, partners, and donors to understand what worked and what didn’t,” Baxter noted. “That insight will shape larger, more ambitious gaming events in the years to come, allowing us to refine the format and maximize impact.” In her remarks, Baxter described gamers and streamers as the “unsung heroes of fundraising,” highlighting how the gaming sector is pioneering a new, innovative standard for charitable support. She pointed out that many gamers share a love of narrative, imagination, and immersive worlds, and that this shared passion can be redirected toward real‑world change.
“When we turn the joy of play into a catalyst for lasting impact, we showcase just how powerful the gaming community can be,” she said. Save Point is part of a broader campaign titled “The One Delivery That Matters,” which launches in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift public attention from traditional holiday gifts to the essential items that many children will be waiting for this Christmas—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter.
Baxter underscored the stark contrast between the consumer‑driven holiday narrative and the urgent needs of vulnerable children. “Anything can be delivered to a doorstep with a tap on a screen,” she remarked. “But for millions of children this season, it isn’t toys they’re hoping for—it’s the life‑saving deliveries that will protect their childhoods.” The logistics of Save Point are designed to be as inclusive as possible.
Participants can register their interest through a dedicated online portal, where they will receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, choosing donation platforms, and promoting their stream to friends and followers. The charity will provide promotional assets, suggested fundraising targets, and real‑time leaderboards to foster a sense of friendly competition among streamers.
Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, Save Point aims to raise awareness about the broader challenges faced by children in crisis zones. By weaving storytelling elements into the streams—such as short video clips that illustrate how donations translate into food parcels, medical kits, and temporary housing—the event hopes to create an emotional bridge between gamers and the beneficiaries of their generosity. Industry observers have noted that charitable gaming events have been gaining momentum in recent years, with organizations like UNICEF and the Red Cross experimenting with similar formats.
Save the Children’s entry into this space reflects a growing recognition that the digital entertainment ecosystem can serve as a powerful conduit for philanthropy. As more gamers seek purpose‑driven ways to engage with their hobby, events like Save Point could become a staple in the annual charitable calendar. In summary, Save Point represents an innovative blend of entertainment and empathy, leveraging the reach of live streaming to mobilize donations for children who need them most. By partnering with established creators, inviting new supporters to host their own streams, and embedding the fundraiser within a larger campaign that highlights essential deliveries over holiday trinkets, Save the Children hopes to set a precedent for future gaming‑based philanthropy.
The organization invites anyone with an internet connection and a passion for gaming to join the cause, promising that every contribution—big or small—will help deliver the vital supplies that countless children are counting on this Christmas.