This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraiser, a live‑streamed event dubbed Save Point. The initiative, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, is designed to tap into the enthusiasm of gamers and content creators, offering a new avenue for supporters to contribute to the organization’s mission. Fiona Baxter, the charity’s senior fundraising manager, told GamesIndustry.biz that the concept for 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 occasional donors but as partners who could champion our cause in a medium they love,” Baxter explained.
“Running a marathon isn’t feasible for everyone, so an event that lives online and revolves around play is far more inclusive and showcases a different style of advocacy.” The charity has teamed up with popular online personality and streamer TheKapFantastic, who earlier this year raised more than £5,000 for Save the Children through his own channel. Baxter emphasized that this partnership is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to forge lasting relationships with gamers, streamers, and their audiences. “If we can introduce more people in this space to the work we do and why it matters, that would be a massive win,” she said. “I’ll consider the event a triumph if we walk away with a fresh cohort of supporters who want to keep gaming for us because they’ve had a positive experience.” Because Save Point is a pilot effort, the charity is treating the event as a learning laboratory.
“We’re gathering feedback in real time, and that insight will be priceless as we design bigger, more ambitious gaming fundraisers in the years to come,” Baxter noted. She described gamers and streamers as the "unsung heroes of fundraising," pointing out that the gaming world is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable engagement. According to Baxter, the gaming community shares a unique cultural DNA: a love of narrative, imagination, and the escapism that comes from immersing oneself in virtual realms. "When we channel that passion into tangible, real‑world impact, we illustrate just how potent the gaming audience can be for driving lasting change," she said.
Save Point forms part of the broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, which launches in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift public attention from traditional holiday gifts to the essential supplies that many children will need this Christmas—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter. Baxter highlighted the stark contrast between a typical online shopping experience and the urgent needs of vulnerable children: "Anyone can order a gadget with a tap of a screen, but for millions of youngsters this season, the deliveries they’re hoping for are life‑saving essentials, not toys." The event will be streamed across multiple platforms, allowing participants to set up their own fundraising channels, engage viewers with gameplay, and encourage donations in real time.
Interested individuals can sign up through the Save the Children website, where they will receive guidance on technical setup, best practices for audience interaction, and tips for maximizing fundraising potential. Beyond the immediate financial goal, Save Point aims to cultivate a sense of community among gamers who share a commitment to social good. By providing a structured yet flexible framework, the charity hopes to empower creators of all sizes—from seasoned streamers to hobbyists—to contribute their unique voices and audiences to the cause. Baxter believes this collaborative model could become a template for other nonprofits seeking to harness digital culture.
Looking ahead, the organization plans to analyze metrics such as total funds raised, viewer engagement, and participant satisfaction to refine future events. "Our hope is that Save Point becomes an annual fixture, growing each year in scope and impact," Baxter said. "The feedback we collect now will shape a sustainable pipeline of gaming‑driven philanthropy that benefits children worldwide." In summary, Save Point represents a pioneering step for Save the Children, merging the excitement of interactive entertainment with the urgency of humanitarian aid. By inviting gamers to turn their passion into purposeful action, the charity not only broadens its donor base but also showcases the transformative power of play when aligned with compassion.
The event promises to deliver both immediate aid to children in need this Christmas and a lasting blueprint for future collaborations between the charitable and gaming sectors.