This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its first ever gaming‑focused fundraising campaign, titled Save Point. The initiative merges live streaming, interactive play and charitable giving into a single, accessible event designed to attract both seasoned gamers and casual supporters. Fiona Baxter, the organisation’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. "We wanted a platform that would let us interact with gamers not just as partners but also as individual donors," she explained.
"Not everyone can commit to a marathon or a long‑distance walk, so an event centred around gaming offers a more inclusive way for people to contribute while still having a meaningful impact." The charity has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise over £5,000 for Save the Children earlier in the year. Baxter emphasised that the partnership is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to cultivate relationships with influencers and gamers beyond the two‑day window of the fundraiser. "If we can reach more members of this vibrant community with clear information about what we do and why it matters, we’ll have achieved a real win," she said.
"I’ll consider the event a huge success if, after it ends, we have a fresh cohort of supporters who want to come back and game for us again because of the experience they had." Because this is Save the Children’s first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, Baxter highlighted the learning potential inherent in the venture. "The feedback we collect will be priceless and will help us design even larger and more engaging gaming events year after year," she noted. She also praised gamers and streamers as the "unsung heroes of fundraising," observing that the gaming world is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support.
According to Baxter, the community shares a common love for narrative, imagination and the escapism that games provide. By channeling that passion into real‑world change, the sector can showcase its capacity for tangible, lasting impact. Save Point forms part of Save the Children’s broader campaign, "The One Delivery That Matters," which launches in November 2026. The campaign aims to shift the public’s focus from traditional holiday gifts to the essential supplies that many children will need this Christmas—food, medicine, warm clothing and safe shelter.
Baxter summed up the message succinctly: "Anything you can imagine being delivered to your doorstep with a tap of a screen is possible. But for millions of children this year, it isn’t toys they’re waiting for—it’s the life‑saving deliveries that protect their childhoods." The event itself is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026. Participants can sign up through a dedicated registration link, where they will receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, tips for engaging audiences, and resources to promote their personal fundraising goals. The format encourages streamers to play a variety of games—ranging from indie titles to popular multiplayer hits—while encouraging viewers to donate directly through integrated platforms.
Beyond the live streams, Save Point will feature interactive challenges, such as speed‑run marathons, community‑wide boss battles, and charity‑only in‑game items whose purchase proceeds go straight to the cause. These elements are designed to keep audiences engaged for extended periods, maximising donation potential while also fostering a sense of camaraderie among participants. The charity hopes that the event will not only generate immediate funds for its Christmas‑time delivery effort but also lay the groundwork for an ongoing partnership with the gaming ecosystem.
By demonstrating how digital entertainment can be harnessed for social good, Save the Children aims to inspire other nonprofits to explore similar collaborations. In the words of Baxter, "The gaming community has the storytelling power, the imagination, and the reach to turn play into purpose. Save Point is our first step in proving that when we combine those strengths with a clear humanitarian mission, we can deliver real, measurable change for children who need it most."