This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a two‑day live event called Save Point. The concept, which blends video‑game play, live streaming, and charitable giving, is designed to tap into the enthusiasm of gamers and online audiences while raising vital resources for children in need.
Fiona Baxter, the organization’s senior fundraising manager, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the gaming community. "We wanted a way to reach gamers not just as donors but as partners and ambassadors," she said. "Many people can’t commit to a marathon or a long‑distance walk, but a gaming marathon is far more inclusive.
It lets us showcase how a different kind of supporter can make a tangible impact." The event will be anchored by popular content creator and Twitch streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped Save the Children raise over £5,000 earlier in the year through a dedicated charity stream. Baxter emphasized that the partnership with TheKapFantastic is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to nurture relationships with gamers, streamers, and their audiences after the inaugural fundraiser concludes.
"If we can introduce more people in this vibrant community to the work we do and why it matters, that would be a massive win," Baxter explained. "I’ll consider the event a success if we walk away with a new crew of supporters who want to keep gaming for us because they’ve had a positive experience." Because this is Save the Children’s first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, Baxter also highlighted the learning potential. "We’ll be gathering feedback from participants, viewers, and partners, which will be priceless as we refine and scale up future gaming events.
The goal is to make each subsequent event bigger, better, and more engaging for the community." In her remarks, Baxter described gamers and streamers as the "unsung heroes of fundraising," noting that the gaming arena is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support. She elaborated on the cultural link between gaming and storytelling: "Gamers are a group that cherishes narrative, imagination, and the chance to escape into new worlds through play. When we channel that passion toward real‑world change, we demonstrate just how powerful the gaming community can be." Save Point is a central pillar of Save the Children’s broader campaign, "The One Delivery That Matters," which kicks off in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift public attention from traditional holiday gifts to the essential deliveries that many children will rely on this Christmas—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter.
Baxter pointed out the stark contrast: "Anything you can order online and have delivered to your door with a click is a luxury for most families. For millions of children this season, it isn’t toys they’re awaiting, but life‑saving provisions." The event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026. During those 48 hours, participants will stream their gameplay, engage with viewers, and encourage donations that go directly to Save the Children’s emergency relief efforts. The format encourages a range of involvement: from solo gamers who want to host a marathon stream, to small teams that can organize friendly competitions, to viewers who simply donate while watching their favorite creators.
To join the cause, interested individuals can sign up through the Save Point registration page. Once registered, they will receive a toolkit that includes guidelines for setting up a fundraising livestream, tips on promoting the stream, and suggestions for integrating donation prompts and informational overlays. The charity will also provide promotional assets, such as banners and short video clips, to help participants amplify their reach across social media platforms. Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, Save Point aims to foster a lasting community of gaming‑focused philanthropists.
Baxter envisions a future where regular gaming events become a staple in the charity’s calendar, each one building on the lessons learned from the previous iteration. "We’re not just looking at a one‑off fundraiser; we want to embed gaming into our overall fundraising ecosystem," she said.
"That means developing long‑term partnerships with streamers, creating exclusive in‑game items whose sales support our work, and perhaps even collaborating with game developers to embed charitable mechanics directly into games." The decision to align the fundraiser with the holiday season is strategic. Historically, charitable giving spikes during December, and the gaming community is especially active during this period, with many players taking time off to indulge in longer gaming sessions. By synchronising the event with this natural surge in both generosity and gaming activity, Save the Children hopes to maximise both participation and donations. In addition to monetary contributions, Save Point will raise awareness about the specific challenges children face in conflict zones, climate‑affected regions, and impoverished communities.
Throughout the livestreams, creators will intersperse gameplay with short documentary‑style segments, interviews with field workers, and stories from children whose lives have been transformed by the organization’s interventions. This blend of entertainment and education is intended to deepen viewers’ understanding of why their donations matter. Overall, Save Point represents an innovative approach to modern philanthropy, leveraging the interactive and communal nature of gaming to drive real‑world impact.
By inviting gamers to turn their passion into a force for good, Save the Children hopes to set a precedent for how charities can engage with digital cultures in meaningful, sustainable ways.