This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, aptly named Save Point. The new event blends interactive play with live streaming to rally support for children in need, and it marks a significant step for the organization into the world of digital entertainment.
Fiona Baxter, the senior fundraising manager at Save the Children, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the gaming community. "We wanted to create a platform where gamers, whether they are casual players or professional streamers, could contribute to our mission in a way that feels natural to them," Baxter explained.
"Traditional fundraising activities like marathons are fantastic, but they aren’t accessible to everyone. A gaming‑centric event opens the door for a whole new audience to get involved." The charity has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who already demonstrated his commitment to the cause by raising more than £5,000 for Save the Children earlier this year. This partnership illustrates the potential of influencer‑driven philanthropy, where a single channel can mobilise thousands of viewers to donate, share messages, and spread awareness.
Baxter emphasized that the goal extends beyond a one‑off fundraiser. "We’re looking to cultivate lasting relationships with gamers and streamers long after Save Point concludes," she said.
"If we can introduce this community to the impact of our work and why it matters, we hope they’ll become repeat supporters—perhaps even organizing their own gaming marathons or charity streams in the future." The charity’s definition of success for Save Point is not solely measured by the amount of money raised, but also by the quality of the new supporter base it builds. "A huge win for us would be walking away with a fresh crew of enthusiastic gamers who want to keep collaborating with us," Baxter noted. "Their personal experience with the event should inspire them to champion our cause again, whether through future streams, in‑game events, or other creative fundraising ideas." Because this is Save the Children’s first foray into a gaming‑driven fundraiser, the organization anticipates a steep learning curve. "We’re gathering feedback in real time, which will be priceless for shaping larger, more sophisticated gaming events in the years to come," Baxter added.
"Each insight helps us refine the format, improve the donor experience, and amplify the overall impact." Describing gamers and streamers as the "unsung heroes of fundraising," Baxter highlighted how the gaming sector is setting a "new, innovative standard" for charitable support. She pointed out that many gamers share a love for storytelling, imagination, and escapism, values that translate well into a mission‑driven context. "When we channel that passion for virtual worlds into tangible, real‑world change, we showcase just how powerful the gaming community can be," she said. Save Point is integrated into the broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, which launches in November 2026.
The campaign seeks to shift public attention from the typical holiday gift‑giving narrative to the urgent needs of children awaiting essential supplies—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter—during the festive season. Baxter remarked, "In the age of instant delivery, we can have anything appear at our doorstep with a tap. Yet for millions of children this Christmas, it isn’t toys they’re hoping for; it’s life‑saving deliveries that protect their childhoods." The event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, and will feature a series of live streams, gaming challenges, and interactive donation milestones. Participants can sign up through a dedicated registration page, where they will receive guidance on setting up their own fundraising livestreams, tips for engaging audiences, and resources to promote the cause effectively.
By merging the excitement of gaming with the urgency of humanitarian aid, Save Point aims to demonstrate that digital entertainment can serve as a powerful conduit for social good. The initiative not only provides a novel avenue for donors to contribute but also educates the gaming community about the pressing issues facing children worldwide.
As the event unfolds, Save the Children hopes to inspire a wave of ongoing collaboration, proving that the spirit of play can be harnessed to create lasting, positive change for the most vulnerable. Overall, Save Point represents a bold experiment in modern philanthropy—one that leverages the reach, creativity, and enthusiasm of gamers to deliver critical resources to children in need during the most hopeful time of the year. The charity looks forward to measuring the impact of this inaugural effort and building upon it for future campaigns, ensuring that the power of play continues to translate into real‑world benefits for generations to come.