This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused and live‑stream fundraising initiative, dubbed Save Point. The new event is designed to tap into the enthusiasm of gamers and online audiences, offering a fresh avenue for supporters to contribute to the organization’s mission. 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 charity’s connection with the gaming community. “We wanted a platform that would let us interact with gamers not just through traditional partnerships but also by inviting individual players to take part,” she explained.
“Not everyone has the stamina or time to run a marathon, but a gaming marathon is far more accessible, allowing a different kind of supporter to make a tangible impact.” To bring the vision to life, the charity has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise more than £5,000 for Save the Children earlier in the year. Baxter emphasized that the partnership is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to nurture relationships with gamers, streamers, and their audiences beyond the two‑day event.
"If we can reach a wider segment of this community with clear information about what 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 are eager to game for us again, inspired by the experience they’ve had." Baxter also highlighted the learning potential embedded in the initiative.
"Because this is our first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, the feedback we gather will be priceless. It will help us refine and scale up future gaming events, making each successive edition bigger and more effective," she 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. "There’s a shared understanding among game lovers that we’re a community driven by stories, imagination, and the desire to escape into new realms through play," Baxter said.
"When we channel that passion into real‑world change, we demonstrate just how powerful the gaming community can be in driving lasting impact." 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 festive season from material gifts to essential supplies for children in need. Baxter explained, "Think of anything you can order with a tap of a screen – it arrives at your door in minutes. For millions of children this Christmas, however, the deliveries they’re hoping for aren’t toys or sweets.
They’re life‑saving items: food, medicine, warm clothing, and a safe place to sleep." The event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026. Participants will be able to sign up through a dedicated registration page, where they will receive guidance on setting up their own fundraising livestreams.
By streaming their gameplay, sharing personal stories, and encouraging viewers to donate, participants can turn hours of entertainment into a powerful fundraising engine. The Save Point format mirrors successful charity streams that have emerged over the past few years, where influencers host marathon gaming sessions, unlock donation milestones, and engage audiences with interactive challenges.
Baxter believes that by aligning the charity’s message with the values of the gaming community—collaboration, perseverance, and creativity—the event can inspire a new wave of philanthropy that feels natural and enjoyable for participants. Beyond the immediate financial goals, the charity hopes to cultivate a lasting network of gaming allies.
"We’re not just looking for a one‑off donation; we want to build a community of gamers who understand our work and want to keep supporting us long after the stream ends," Baxter said. "The relationships we forge now will lay the groundwork for future collaborations, whether that’s through regular charity streams, in‑game events, or co‑created content that raises awareness for children’s rights worldwide." In addition to live streaming, Save Point will feature special in‑game items, exclusive digital badges, and leaderboards that highlight top fundraisers. These gamified elements are intended to motivate participants, foster friendly competition, and provide visible recognition for those who raise the most support. The charity also plans to share stories from the field during the broadcast, illustrating how the donations translate into concrete help for children facing hardship.
By connecting the virtual world of gaming with real‑world outcomes, Save the Children aims to make the impact of each contribution unmistakably clear. Overall, Save Point represents a strategic pivot for the organization, embracing a medium that resonates deeply with younger audiences and tech‑savvy donors.
As Baxter concluded, "The gaming space is evolving, and we’re excited to be part of that evolution. By turning our love of play into a force for good, we’re proving that entertainment and empathy can go hand‑in‑hand, delivering real change to children who need it most."