This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a two‑day event dubbed Save Point, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026. The concept emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the organization’s connection with the worldwide gaming community, a demographic that has shown growing enthusiasm for charitable causes.
Fiona Baxter, the charity’s senior fundraising manager, told GamesIndustry.biz that Save Point was "born from a wider desire to engage more with the gaming community," and that it represents a strategic pivot toward more inclusive, participatory forms of giving. Unlike traditional charity challenges such as marathons or sponsored walks, which can be physically demanding and limit participation, a gaming‑based fundraiser offers a low‑barrier entry point for anyone with a computer, console, or mobile device. "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. By leveraging livestream platforms, donation overlays, and in‑game incentives, the charity hopes to tap into the enthusiasm of gamers who are accustomed to supporting causes through virtual means. To anchor the event, Save the Children has teamed up with popular online content creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously raised over £5,000 for the organization earlier in the year. This partnership is intended to serve as a proof‑of‑concept for how influencers can mobilise their audiences for social good.
Baxter emphasized that the charity aims to nurture these relationships beyond the immediate campaign. "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." Because Save Point is a pilot effort, the team anticipates a steep learning curve.
"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," Baxter noted. The organization plans to analyze metrics such as average donation size, viewer engagement, and the effectiveness of various in‑stream fundraising prompts to refine future campaigns.
Baxter also highlighted the broader cultural shift within the gaming world, describing gamers and streamers as "the unsung heroes of fundraising" and asserting that the sector is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support. She pointed out that many gamers share a love of narrative, imagination, and escapism, which can be redirected toward tangible, 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 integrated into Save the Children’s broader campaign titled "The One Delivery That Matters," slated to launch in November 2026.
This campaign seeks to shift public attention from the traditional holiday focus on toys and sweets toward the essential supplies that millions of children desperately need during the winter months. Baxter explained, "Absolutely anything you could think of can be delivered right to your door at the tap of a screen. 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 messaging underscores a stark reality: for many children in conflict zones, refugee camps, and impoverished regions, the holiday season brings not gifts but a heightened risk of hunger, illness, and exposure to the elements.
By framing the fundraiser around the concept of a "delivery"—whether it be food, medicine, warm clothing, or safe shelter—the charity hopes to make the abstract notion of aid more concrete for donors. Participants in Save Point will be encouraged to set personal fundraising targets, share progress updates during live streams, and unlock in‑game rewards or recognition badges as they reach milestones.
In practical terms, those interested in joining Save Point can register their interest through a dedicated portal, where they will receive guidance on setting up a livestream, integrating donation widgets, and promoting their streams across social media channels. The charity will also provide a toolkit that includes branding assets, suggested talking points about the campaign’s objectives, and tips for engaging viewers in real‑time donation drives.
Beyond the immediate financial goals, Save Point aims to cultivate a lasting community of gamers who view philanthropy as an integral part of their online identity. By creating a positive feedback loop—wherein successful fundraising leads to increased visibility, which in turn attracts more participants—the charity hopes to embed charitable giving into the fabric of gaming culture. Baxter concluded with optimism: "We see this as the beginning of a series of events that will not only raise vital funds but also educate and inspire a new generation of supporters.
The power of play, when harnessed responsibly, can become a catalyst for real change." Overall, Save Point represents a novel fusion of entertainment and altruism, leveraging the reach of livestream platforms, the enthusiasm of gaming influencers, and the generosity of a global audience to deliver life‑saving supplies to children in need this Christmas. The initiative stands as a testament to how modern technology and creative fundraising can intersect to address some of the most pressing humanitarian challenges of our time.