This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a live‑streamed event titled Save Point. The concept emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the gaming community, a sector that has shown a remarkable capacity for charitable engagement. 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 is designed to be inclusive, offering a way for supporters to contribute that doesn’t require the physical stamina of a marathon or the logistical planning of a traditional charity walk. "Save Point allows us to reach gamers both through brand partnerships and through individual participants," Baxter explained.
"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." To give the event a strong digital foothold, Save the Children has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously raised over £5,000 for the charity earlier in the year. This collaboration is part of a larger strategy to build lasting relationships with influential voices in the gaming world.
"It would be incredible to reach more people in this community with information about the work we do and why it's important," Baxter 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 learning curve associated with pioneering a new fundraising format. "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 insights gathered from Save Point will inform future campaigns, potentially expanding the scope and scale of charitable gaming events. In her remarks, Baxter described gamers and streamers as the "unsung heroes of fundraising," pointing out that the gaming arena is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support. She explained that many gamers share a deep appreciation for storytelling, imagination, and the escape that interactive worlds provide.
"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," she said. Save Point is a key component of Save the Children’s broader campaign, "The One Delivery That Matters," which launches in November 2026. The campaign aims to shift public attention from traditional holiday gifts to the essential supplies that many children desperately need during the festive season.
While many families anticipate toys and sweets, millions of children are instead hoping for basic necessities 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," Baxter observed.
"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." This message underscores the campaign’s focus on tangible aid rather than material indulgence. The Save Point event is scheduled 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, gamers can choose to host their own streams, encourage viewers to donate, and share updates about the impact of the contributions they help generate. Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, Save Point serves as a proof of concept for how charities can leverage digital entertainment platforms to mobilize new donor demographics.
By aligning the excitement of gaming with a clear humanitarian purpose, the event demonstrates a model that other nonprofit organizations may emulate. The charity hopes that the momentum built during these two days will translate into ongoing partnerships, recurring donation streams, and a broader cultural shift that recognizes gaming as a viable avenue for social good. In summary, Save the Children’s inaugural Save Point event blends the interactive allure of video games with the urgency of delivering essential supplies to children in need. With the backing of prominent streamers, a clear communication strategy, and a commitment to learning and improvement, the charity aims to set a benchmark for future gaming‑based fundraisers, proving that play can indeed be a powerful catalyst for change.