This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its very first gaming‑centric and live‑streaming fundraising initiative, aptly named Save Point. The concept emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the organization’s connection with the global gaming community, a point emphasized by senior fundraising manager Fiona Baxter in an interview with GamesIndustry.biz.
Baxur explained that Save Point was "born from a wider desire to engage more with the gaming community." She highlighted that the event provides a dual‑track approach to involvement: it opens doors for partnerships with established creators as well as for individual supporters who might not be able to take part in traditional physical challenges such as marathons. "Not everyone can run a marathon, so an event like this is a lot more accessible and allows us to showcase what a different type of supporter can do," she said. In partnership with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic—who earlier in the year helped raise more than £5,000 for the charity—Save Point aims to blend entertainment with philanthropy. The collaboration underscores a growing trend where influencers leverage their platforms to mobilise audiences around social causes.
Baxter added that the charity hopes to sustain and expand these relationships long after the two‑day event concludes, turning a one‑off fundraiser into an ongoing network of gaming allies. "It would be incredible to reach more people in this community with information about the work we do and why it's important," Baxter noted. She described her vision of success as walking away from Save Point with a fresh cohort of supporters who, after experiencing the event, might choose to "game for us again" in future campaigns. The ambition is not merely to raise a single sum of money but to cultivate a lasting community of gamers who see charitable giving as an integral part of their online identity.
Because Save Point marks the charity’s first foray into this format, Baxter stressed the importance of learning from the experience. "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. This iterative approach mirrors how many tech‑savvy organizations experiment, gather data, and refine their strategies for greater impact.
Baxter praised gamers and streamers as the "unsung heroes of fundraising," pointing out that the gaming sphere is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support. She argued that the community’s shared love of narrative, imagination, and escapism can be redirected toward tangible, real‑world change.
"There is an understanding between 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 cornerstone of Save the Children’s broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, scheduled to launch in November 2026.
The campaign seeks to shift public attention from material gifts to essential supplies that children in crisis need during the festive period. While many children anticipate toys and sweets, millions are instead awaiting life‑saving deliveries—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter.
Baxter captured this contrast succinctly: "Absolutely anything you could think of can be delivered right to your door at the tap of a screen. 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 event itself will run over two days, from December 5 to December 6, 2026. Participants can sign up to host their own fundraising livestreams, with the charity providing guidance on how to set up a stream, promote the cause, and track donations. By leveraging platforms such as Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and Facebook Gaming, streamers can reach diverse audiences, turning viewership into monetary support.
The charity also plans to feature interactive elements—such as in‑game challenges, donation milestones that unlock special content, and real‑time leaderboards—to keep audiences engaged and motivated to contribute. Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, Save Point serves as a proof‑of‑concept for how non‑profits can harness the immersive, community‑driven nature of gaming. It illustrates a shift from passive donation models toward participatory experiences where donors become active players in a shared narrative. This aligns with broader industry trends where virtual events, esports tournaments, and charity streams have collectively raised millions for causes ranging from disaster relief to medical research.
Looking ahead, Save the Children hopes that the momentum generated by Save Point will pave the way for larger, more ambitious gaming collaborations. Potential future ideas include multi‑streamer charity tournaments, in‑game items whose purchase directly funds specific projects, and cross‑platform campaigns that tie physical merchandise to virtual achievements.
By continually iterating on the format and listening to feedback from both gamers and donors, the organization aims to cement gaming as a staple pillar of its fundraising portfolio. For anyone interested in joining the initiative, registration details are available through the Save Point sign‑up page. Once registered, participants will receive a toolkit containing technical instructions, branding assets, and storytelling tips to help them craft compelling streams.
The charity also promises ongoing support throughout the event, including real‑time assistance with technical issues and promotional guidance to maximise reach. In summary, Save Point represents a bold step for Save the Children, merging the vibrant world of gaming with the urgent mission of delivering essential supplies to children in need during the holiday season.
By tapping into the creativity, competitiveness, and community spirit of gamers, the charity aims to rewrite the playbook on charitable giving—proving that a love of games can translate into real‑world impact, one streamed hour at a time.