This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising campaign, dubbed "Save Point." The initiative, which blends video‑game play with live‑streamed charity drives, is designed to tap into the enthusiasm of gamers and online audiences while raising vital funds for children in need. 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 world.
"We wanted a way to reach the gaming community more directly, both through strategic partnerships and by inviting individual supporters to get involved," Baxter explained. "Not everyone can commit to a marathon or a long‑distance bike ride, so a digital event like this is far more inclusive and showcases the diverse ways people can contribute." The charity has teamed up with popular content creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who earlier this year helped raise more than £5,000 for Save the Children through his own channel. Baxter emphasised that the partnership is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to nurture relationships with gamers, influencers, and their audiences beyond the two‑day event. "If we can introduce more people in this community to the impact of our work and why it matters, that would be a massive win," she said.
"I’ll consider the event a success if we walk away with a fresh cohort of supporters who are eager to return for future gaming‑based fundraisers because of the experience they’ve had with us." Because Save Point is a brand‑new format for the charity, Baxter highlighted the learning potential embedded in the venture. "This is our first foray into this type of fundraiser, so the insights we gather—from technical setup to audience engagement—will be priceless.
They’ll help us design even bigger and more effective gaming events year after year," she noted. Baxter also praised gamers and streamers as "the unsung heroes of fundraising," pointing out that the gaming sector is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support.
She described the gaming community as a group united by a love of narrative, imagination, and immersive worlds, and argued that channeling that passion into real‑world change demonstrates the sector’s extraordinary influence. "Gamers are storytellers at heart. We escape into virtual realms, but we also have the capacity to turn that love of play into tangible, lasting impact for children who need help," Baxter said.
"When we convert our gaming enthusiasm into a force for good, we prove just how powerful and effective the gaming community can be." Save Point forms part of the broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, which launches in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift the focus of the holiday season from material gifts to essential supplies for children facing hardship.
Baxter explained that for many youngsters, the most critical deliveries this Christmas will be food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter—not toys or candy. "Anything you can imagine can be delivered to your doorstep with a click," she remarked. "But for millions of children this December, it isn’t toys they’re awaiting—it’s life‑saving provisions that protect their childhoods." The Save Point event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026. Participants will be able to sign up via a dedicated registration page, where they will receive guidance on setting up their own fundraising livestreams, tips for engaging viewers, and resources for promoting the cause across social platforms.
By combining the excitement of gaming with the generosity of live‑stream audiences, Save the Children hopes to create a replicable model that can be expanded in future years. In addition to the primary livestreams, the charity plans to feature a series of side activities, including charity speed‑run challenges, in‑game donation milestones, and interactive Q&A sessions with field workers who can share stories from the front lines. These elements aim to deepen viewers' understanding of how their contributions translate into real‑world outcomes, reinforcing the emotional connection between the gaming experience and the humanitarian impact. Overall, Save Point represents a strategic push to modernise fundraising by meeting supporters where they already spend time—online, behind a screen, and immersed in play.
By leveraging the reach of popular streamers, the interactivity of live video, and the communal spirit of gamers, Save the Children aspires to set a precedent for how charities can innovate in the digital age while delivering critical aid to children worldwide during the most vulnerable time of the year.