This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a two‑day event dubbed Save Point. The concept emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the organization’s connection with the worldwide gaming community, a sector that has shown increasing enthusiasm for social good. 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." She emphasized that the event offers a new avenue for supporters who might not be able to take part in traditional physical challenges such as marathons. "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," she explained.
To give the event a strong digital presence, Save the Children has teamed up with popular online content creator and livestreamer TheKapFantastic. The influencer previously helped the charity raise over £5,000 earlier in the year, demonstrating the fundraising power that can be harnessed when a dedicated fanbase rallies behind a cause. Baxter highlighted the partnership as a stepping stone toward longer‑term collaborations with gamers and streamers. "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 first‑time venture for the organization, Baxter stressed the importance of learning from the experience. "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. The charity hopes to refine its approach based on participant input, technical challenges, and audience engagement metrics, paving the way for increasingly sophisticated virtual fundraisers in the future.
Baxter described gamers and streamers as "the unsung heroes of fundraising," pointing out that the gaming sphere is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support. She elaborated on the cultural traits that make the gaming community uniquely positioned to drive social impact: "There is an understanding among 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." Save Point forms part of Save the Children’s broader campaign titled "The One Delivery That Matters," which kicks off in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift public attention from conventional holiday gifts to the essential supplies that many children will need this winter—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter.
Baxter illustrated the contrast by saying, "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 event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026.
During those 48 hours, participants will be encouraged to set up live fundraising streams, compete in gaming challenges, and engage their audiences with donation links and updates on the impact of contributions. The format is designed to be flexible: anyone with a gaming setup—whether a console, PC, or even a mobile device—can join, making the barrier to entry low and inclusive.
In addition to the primary livestreams, Save Point will feature a series of side activities such as charity tournaments, speed‑run marathons, and collaborative in‑game events where players can unlock virtual rewards that correspond to real‑world aid packages. For example, completing a certain quest might trigger a donation that funds a week’s worth of nutrition for a child in a conflict‑affected region. These gamified incentives aim to translate virtual achievements into tangible outcomes, reinforcing the message that play can have a purpose beyond entertainment. The charity also plans to provide educational resources for participants, including guides on how to set up a successful fundraising stream, tips for audience engagement, and transparent reporting on how the raised funds will be allocated.
By equipping gamers with the tools they need, Save the Children hopes to foster a sustainable ecosystem of digital philanthropy that extends beyond a single event. Baxter expressed optimism that the momentum generated by Save Point will carry forward into future initiatives. "If we can turn this into a recurring tradition, we’ll have a reliable pipeline of supporters who are passionate about both gaming and making a difference," she said.
She added that the organization is already brainstorming ways to integrate emerging technologies—such as virtual reality experiences and blockchain‑based donation tracking—to further enhance transparency and donor engagement. Overall, Save Point represents a strategic effort by Save the Children to modernize its fundraising portfolio, tapping into the cultural and technological strengths of the gaming world.
By aligning the excitement of play with the urgency of humanitarian aid, the charity aims to demonstrate that even in a digital age, compassion can be streamed, shared, and amplified on a global scale. If you’re interested in joining the cause, you can register your interest through the official Save Point sign‑up page. Once registered, you’ll receive detailed instructions on how to set up your fundraising livestream, access promotional assets, and connect with a network of fellow gamers who share a commitment to helping children in need.