This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising campaign, dubbed Save Point. The initiative, which blends live streaming with interactive gameplay, is designed to tap into the enthusiasm of the gaming community while raising vital funds for children in need during the festive period. Fiona Baxter, the organization’s senior fundraising manager, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that the concept for Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with gamers.
"We wanted to create something that resonated with the gaming world, not just as a one‑off donation drive but as an ongoing partnership that invites both creators and individual players to get involved," Baxter explained. She emphasized that Save Point offers a more accessible alternative to traditional charity challenges such as marathon runs or long‑distance walks. "Not everyone can train for a marathon, but many people can log into a game or host a livestream from their living room. This format opens the door for a wider range of supporters to contribute in a way that feels natural to them," she said.
By leveraging the interactive nature of games and the reach of streaming platforms, the charity hopes to showcase how different kinds of supporters can make a tangible impact. The event is being anchored by popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who has a proven track record of charitable fundraising. Earlier this year, TheKapFantastic helped raise more than £5,000 for Save the Children through a series of gaming marathons. His involvement brings both credibility and a built‑in audience eager to rally behind the cause.
Looking beyond the immediate event, Baxter expressed a strong desire to maintain and expand relationships with gamers, influencers, and streaming communities. "Our goal is to keep the conversation going after Save Point ends. If we can introduce more people to the work we do and why it matters, we’ll have built a lasting bridge between the charity and the gaming ecosystem," she noted. Baxter added that the success of the event will be measured not only by the amount of money raised but also by the new network of supporters who might return for future gaming‑based fundraisers.
Because this is Save the Children’s first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, the organization anticipates a steep learning curve. "We’re approaching this as a pilot," Baxter said. "The feedback we collect—from participants, viewers, and partners—will be essential for refining our approach and scaling up to larger, more ambitious gaming events in the years ahead." Baxter praised gamers and streamers as "the unsung heroes of fundraising," highlighting how the gaming community is beginning to set a new, innovative standard for charitable support. She pointed out that many gamers share a love for storytelling, imagination, and escapism, which can be harnessed for real‑world impact.
"When we channel that passion into a force for lasting change, we demonstrate just how powerful and influential the gaming community can be," she asserted. Save Point forms part of the broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, slated to launch in November 2026. This campaign aims to shift the focus of the holiday season from material gifts to essential supplies for children facing hardship.
Baxter explained that for millions of youngsters, the most critical deliveries this Christmas will be food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter—not toys or confectionery. "Anything you can order online and have delivered to your door with a click of a button is possible for many people," Baxter said. "But for children in crisis, those deliveries represent life‑saving aid and a chance to preserve their childhoods." The Save Point event is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026. Participants can sign up to take part, receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, and access resources to promote their streams.
By merging the excitement of gaming with a clear humanitarian purpose, Save the Children hopes to inspire a new wave of digital philanthropy that reaches audiences far beyond traditional charity circles. In summary, Save Point is more than a one‑time fundraiser; it is a strategic effort to embed charitable giving within the fabric of gaming culture. Through partnerships with influential creators, an emphasis on accessibility, and a commitment to learning and growth, Save the Children aims to establish a sustainable model for future gaming‑driven campaigns that can deliver vital aid to children worldwide during the most vulnerable times of the year.