This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑centric and live‑stream fundraising initiative, branded "Save Point." The concept, which merges the excitement of video games with the reach of online streaming, is designed to tap into the enthusiasm of gamers worldwide and translate it into tangible support for vulnerable children. Fiona Baxter, the senior fundraising manager at Save the Children, told GamesIndustry.biz that the inspiration for Save Point stemmed from a broader ambition to deepen the organisation’s connection with the gaming community.
"We wanted a platform that would let us interact with gamers not just as donors, but as partners and advocates," Baxter explained. "Many people can’t commit to running a marathon or climbing a mountain, but a gaming marathon or a streamed charity event is far more accessible. It shows that anyone can contribute in a way that aligns with their passions and skills." To bring the event to life, Save the Children has teamed up with popular online content creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who has previously helped the charity raise more than £5,000 earlier in the year.
This partnership is intended to serve as a springboard for future collaborations with other influencers, gamers, and e‑sports personalities. Baxter emphasized that the charity hopes the relationship will extend well beyond the two‑day window of Save Point. "If we can introduce more people in the gaming sphere to the work we do and why it matters, we’ll have built a lasting community of supporters who will keep coming back for future campaigns," she said. The event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, and will feature a series of live‑streamed gaming sessions, challenges, and donation drives.
Participants can sign up through a dedicated registration portal, where they will receive guidance on setting up their own fundraising livestreams, choosing games, and promoting the cause to their audiences. The goal is to create a ripple effect: each streamer or gamer who joins the effort can inspire their followers to donate, share the message, and perhaps even start their own mini‑campaigns.
Baxter highlighted that Save Point is more than a one‑off fundraiser; it is a learning laboratory for the charity. "Because this is our first foray into a gaming‑focused fundraiser, the insights we gather—from viewer engagement metrics to donation patterns—will be invaluable.
They will help us refine our approach and scale up future events, making them bigger, more inclusive, and even more effective year after year," she noted. She also praised gamers and streamers as "the unsung heroes of fundraising," pointing out that the gaming world is rapidly setting a new, innovative standard for charitable support. "Gamers share a love for stories, imagination, and the thrill of exploring new worlds.
When we channel that passion into real‑world impact, we demonstrate just how powerful the gaming community can be," Baxter said. Save Point forms part of the broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, which launches in November 2026.
This campaign aims to shift the narrative around the festive season for millions of children who, instead of receiving toys and sweets, are awaiting essential deliveries such as nutritious food, life‑saving medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter. Baxter underscored the stark contrast: "Anyone can order a package with a click of a button, but for many children this Christmas, the packages they need are those that preserve life and protect childhood." The charity hopes that the visibility generated by Save Point will not only raise funds but also elevate public awareness about the urgent needs facing children in crisis zones. By linking the act of gaming—a pastime often associated with escapism—to concrete humanitarian outcomes, Save the Children seeks to illustrate how leisure activities can be harnessed for social good.
In practical terms, participants in Save Point will have access to a toolkit that includes tips on promoting their streams, setting up donation overlays, and engaging with viewers in real time. The charity will also provide a leaderboard that tracks fundraising totals, encouraging friendly competition among streamers and fostering a sense of community achievement.
Looking ahead, Baxter expressed optimism that the event will lay the groundwork for a series of gaming‑related initiatives. "If we walk away from Save Point with a new crew of supporters who want to game for us again, it will be a massive success. It will prove that the gaming sector can be a reliable, long‑term partner for humanitarian work," she concluded.
Overall, Save Point represents a bold experiment in merging digital entertainment with philanthropy, aiming to turn the collective power of gamers into a force for lasting, positive change for children in need worldwide.