This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a live‑streamed event dubbed "Save Point." The concept emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the organization’s connection with the worldwide gaming community, a sector that has grown into a cultural and economic powerhouse over the past decade. Fiona Baxter, the charity’s senior fundraising manager, shared her perspective with GamesIndustry.biz, describing Save Point as "the product of a wider desire to engage more meaningfully with gamers and streamers alike." She emphasized that the event is designed to be inclusive, offering a new avenue for supporters who might not be able to take part in traditional physical challenges such as marathons. "Not everyone can run a marathon," Baxter noted, "so an event like this, which can be accessed from a computer or console, opens the door for a far broader range of participants and showcases the impact that a different type of supporter can have." The charity has teamed up with popular online content creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, a figure who has already demonstrated a knack for mobilising his audience for good causes. Earlier in the year, TheKapFantastic raised more than £5,000 for Save the Children through a series of charity streams, proving the potential of digital platforms to generate substantial financial support.
This partnership signals Save the Children’s intention to cultivate ongoing relationships with influential gamers and streamers beyond the confines of a single event. "It would be incredible to reach more people in this community with information about the work we do and why it's important," Baxter said. She added that the true measure of success will be the formation of a new cohort of gaming‑savvy supporters who, after experiencing the event, are motivated to collaborate again in the future. "I will consider it a huge success if we walk away from this event with a new crew of supporters who might want to game for us again because of their experience with us," she explained.
Baxter also highlighted the learning curve associated with pioneering a novel fundraising format. "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 said. The insights gathered will inform the design of future campaigns, potentially expanding the scale and scope of gaming‑based philanthropy. In her remarks, Baxter described gamers and streamers as "the unsung heroes of fundraising," pointing out that the gaming industry is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support. She argued that the shared love of storytelling, imagination, and immersive experiences among gamers creates a natural bridge to social impact.
"There is an understanding among game‑lovers that we are a group of people who love stories, imagination and escaping to new worlds through the power of play. 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 asserted.
Save Point is a key component of Save the Children’s broader campaign, "The One Delivery That Matters," slated to launch in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift public attention from the typical holiday gift narrative to the urgent needs of children who, during the festive season, are awaiting essential deliveries rather than toys. These deliveries include vital supplies such as nutritious food, life‑saving medication, warm clothing, and secure shelter—items that can make the difference between a safe, healthy childhood and a life fraught with hardship. Baxter underscored the stark contrast between consumer expectations and the reality faced by millions of children worldwide.
"Absolutely anything you could think of can be delivered right to your door at the tap of a screen," she observed. "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 Save Point event is scheduled for a two‑day window, from December 5 to December 6, 2026. During this period, participants will have the opportunity to register their interest, receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, and join a growing network of gamers dedicated to making a tangible difference.
By leveraging the interactivity of live streaming platforms, the event aims to create a dynamic fundraising environment where viewers can donate in real time, engage with the hosts, and learn more about the charity’s mission. In addition to direct monetary contributions, Save Point is expected to generate heightened awareness about the challenges faced by children in conflict zones, disaster‑affected regions, and impoverished communities. The storytelling aspect of gaming—where players assume the role of heroes overcoming obstacles—mirrors the real‑world struggles that Save the Children works to alleviate.
By aligning the emotional resonance of game narratives with the charity’s objectives, the organization hopes to inspire a deeper, more personal connection between donors and beneficiaries. The event will also feature special in‑game incentives, such as exclusive skins, badges, and digital collectibles that participants can earn by reaching fundraising milestones. These gamified rewards serve both as recognition for donors and as a means to sustain engagement throughout the live stream.
Moreover, collaborations with game developers may lead to limited‑time in‑game events that further amplify the cause, allowing players to contribute simply by playing their favorite titles. Looking ahead, Save the Children envisions Save Point as the inaugural chapter of an ongoing series of gaming‑centric fundraisers. The organization plans to analyze participant data, donation trends, and community feedback to refine future iterations. By establishing a reliable pipeline of support from the gaming sector, the charity aims to diversify its fundraising portfolio, reducing reliance on traditional methods and embracing the digital future.
In summary, Save Point represents a strategic fusion of philanthropy and interactive entertainment. It offers an accessible platform for gamers of all skill levels to contribute to a vital humanitarian cause, while also providing Save the Children with a fresh conduit to reach a tech‑savvy audience. As the event approaches, the charity invites anyone interested in merging their passion for gaming with a commitment to helping children in need to sign up, set up a livestream, and become part of a movement that could reshape charitable giving for years to come.