This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising campaign, branded "Save Point," a hybrid event that blends video‑game play with live streaming to raise money for children in need. The initiative, slated for December 5‑6, 2026, represents a strategic push by the organization to tap into the rapidly expanding world of online gaming and its enthusiastic community of players, influencers, and viewers.
Fiona Baxter, Save the Children’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 gamers. "We wanted a way to engage the gaming audience not just as occasional donors but as active partners in our mission," she explained. "Traditional fundraisers like marathons or galas are fantastic, but they aren’t accessible to everyone.
By creating a gaming‑centric event, we open the door for a whole new demographic of supporters who can contribute in a way that feels natural to them." Baxter highlighted that the event is designed to be inclusive, offering both partnership opportunities for established gaming brands and a platform for individual streamers and players to get involved. "Not everyone has the stamina or time to run a marathon, but most people can sit down at a computer or console for a few hours. Save Point gives them a chance to make a tangible impact while doing something they love," she said. To give the event a strong start, Save the Children has teamed up with popular content creator and Twitch streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped the charity raise more than £5,000 earlier in the year.
The partnership is intended to showcase how influential online personalities can mobilise their audiences for a good cause. Baxter added that the organization hopes the collaboration will be the first of many lasting relationships with gamers and streamers. "If we can walk away from this event with a new crew of enthusiastic supporters who want to keep gaming for us, that will be a massive win," she noted. The charity also sees Save Point as a learning laboratory.
Because this is the first time Save the Children is venturing into a gaming‑driven fundraiser, the feedback gathered will be crucial for refining future events. "We’ll be listening closely to what works and what doesn’t, from technical logistics to audience engagement strategies. That insight will help us scale up and deliver even bigger, more impactful gaming fundraisers in the years to come," Baxter said.
Baxur described gamers and streamers as "the unsung heroes of fundraising," emphasizing that the gaming sector is setting a "new, innovative standard" for charitable support. She explained that many gamers share a love of narrative, imagination, and escapism, which can be redirected toward real‑world change.
"When we channel that passion for interactive storytelling into concrete actions—like donating, sharing information, or organizing community challenges—we demonstrate the incredible power of the gaming community to drive lasting social impact," she asserted. 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 focus from traditional holiday gifts to the essential items that children in crisis need most—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter. Baxter underscored the urgency: "For millions of children this Christmas, the most valuable delivery isn’t a toy; it’s a package that can sustain life and protect childhood." The charity’s messaging ties the convenience of modern e‑commerce to the stark reality faced by vulnerable children.
"Anything you can order with a tap of a screen can be delivered to your doorstep," Baxter observed, "but for children in conflict zones or extreme poverty, those deliveries mean survival, health, and hope." Participants interested in joining Save Point can sign up through the charity’s registration portal, where they will receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, tips for engaging viewers, and resources for promoting the event across social channels. The platform will also provide tools to track donations in real time, allowing streamers to celebrate milestones and encourage further giving. Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, Save Point aims to cultivate a lasting network of gaming advocates who will continue to champion the charity’s work long after the two‑day event concludes. By fostering a sense of community and shared purpose, Save the Children hopes to embed charitable giving into the fabric of gaming culture, turning playtime into a catalyst for positive change.
In summary, Save Point represents an ambitious experiment that blends the interactive excitement of video games with the altruistic power of live streaming. Through strategic partnerships, inclusive design, and a clear focus on delivering essential aid to children during the holiday season, Save the Children is pioneering a fresh model of philanthropy—one that could reshape how charities engage with digital audiences for years to come.