This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused and live‑streaming fundraiser, an event branded Save Point. The initiative is designed to tap into the vibrant world of video games and online streaming, offering a fresh avenue for supporters to contribute to the charity’s mission while enjoying the interactive experiences they love. Fiona Baxter, the senior fundraising manager at Save the Children, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that the concept for Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the organisation’s connection with the gaming community.
"Save Point is allowing us to engage more with the gaming community, both from a partnership and individual supporter perspective. 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," Baxter explained. In other words, the charity wanted to create an inclusive fundraising format that didn’t rely on physical endurance challenges, but instead leveraged the digital spaces where millions of gamers already gather. To bring the event to life, Save the Children has teamed up with popular online content creator and streamer TheKapFantastic.
TheKapFantastic, who previously raised more than £5,000 for the charity earlier in the year, will serve as a key ambassador for Save Point, using his platform to encourage viewers to join the cause. Baxter emphasized that the partnership is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to nurture relationships with gamers, streamers, and their audiences. "It would be incredible to reach more people in this community with information about the work we do and why it's important," she said. "I will consider it a huge success if we walk away from this event with a new crew of supporters who might want to game for us again because of their experience with us." Baxter also highlighted the educational value of the initiative.
Because Save Point is the charity’s first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, the feedback gathered will be crucial for refining future events. "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 noted. This iterative approach mirrors how many tech‑savvy organisations pilot new formats, assess community response, and then scale up based on what works.
In her remarks, Baxter described gamers and streamers as "unsung heroes of fundraising" and praised the gaming sector for "setting a new, innovative standard" in charitable support. She pointed out that many gamers share a love of storytelling, imagination, and immersive worlds, which can be channeled into real‑world impact.
"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 added. Save Point is a cornerstone of Save the Children’s broader campaign titled "The One Delivery That Matters," scheduled to launch in November 2026.
The campaign aims to shift public focus from traditional holiday gifts to essential supplies that children in crisis need most during the festive season. Baxter explained that for many children, the most valuable deliveries are not toys but life‑saving provisions such as nutritious food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter. "Absolutely anything you could think of can be delivered right to your door at the tap of a screen," she said.
"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 Save Point event is slated for December 5‑6, 2026. Participants can sign up by registering their interest through the provided link, which will also supply guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream. Once registered, supporters will receive resources on how to integrate charitable donation prompts into their streams, tips for engaging viewers, and best practices for promoting the cause without compromising the entertainment value of their content.
Beyond the two‑day window, the charity envisions a ripple effect: viewers who tune in may become long‑term donors, volunteers, or advocates for Save the Children’s work. The live‑stream format also allows real‑time interaction, enabling viewers to ask questions about the organization’s programs, see the immediate impact of donations, and feel a direct connection to the beneficiaries. In summary, Save Point represents a strategic blend of philanthropy and digital culture, offering a novel pathway for supporters who prefer virtual engagement over physical events. By collaborating with established streamers, gathering actionable feedback, and aligning the fundraiser with a larger campaign that emphasizes essential deliveries over consumer gifts, Save the Children hopes to set a precedent for how charities can harness the power of gaming to drive meaningful change.
The success of this inaugural event could pave the way for larger, more ambitious gaming‑based fundraisers in the years to come, further solidifying the gaming community’s role as a vital partner in the global effort to protect and nurture vulnerable children.