This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused fundraising initiative, a two‑day event titled Save Point. The campaign, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, merges the excitement of video games with live streaming to generate donations for children in need during the most vulnerable time of the year.
Fiona Baxter, the charity’s senior fundraising manager, told GamesIndustry.biz that Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the organization’s connection with the gaming community. "We wanted a platform that would let us interact with gamers and streamers on a level that feels natural to them," Baxter explained. "Traditional charity challenges like marathons are fantastic, but they aren’t accessible to everyone. A gaming marathon can be joined from a bedroom, a dorm, or a living room, making participation far more inclusive." The event will be anchored by a partnership with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise more than £5,000 for Save the Children earlier in the year.
The collaboration is intended to showcase how individual influencers can mobilise their audiences for a cause, while also highlighting the potential for long‑term relationships between charitable organisations and the digital entertainment space. Baxter emphasised that the charity hopes the partnership will extend beyond the two‑day window. "If we can turn the viewers who tune in for the livestream into ongoing supporters—people who will log in for future charity streams or even organise their own gaming fundraisers—that would be a massive win," she said.
"Our ultimate metric of success isn’t just the amount raised on December 5‑6; it’s the community we build that will keep giving long after the event concludes." Because Save Point is a brand‑new format for Save the Children, the team is treating the event as a learning laboratory. "We’re gathering real‑time feedback on everything from the technical setup to the messaging that resonates most with gamers," Baxter noted. "Those insights will shape larger, more ambitious gaming fundraisers in the years to come, allowing us to refine our approach and maximise impact." In her remarks, Baxter described gamers and streamers as "the unsung heroes of fundraising," underscoring the growing recognition that the gaming world can set a "new, innovative standard" for charitable support.
She highlighted the shared values of storytelling, imagination, and escapism that unite game lovers, and argued that these same passions can be redirected toward tangible, life‑changing outcomes. "Gamers are storytellers at heart," Baxter said.
"They spend hours exploring virtual worlds, solving puzzles, and collaborating with strangers to achieve common goals. When we channel that energy toward real‑world challenges—like delivering food, medicine, and safe shelter to children in crisis—we demonstrate the extraordinary power of the gaming community to drive lasting change." Save Point is a central pillar of Save the Children’s broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, which launches in November 2026. The campaign aims to shift public attention from traditional holiday gifts to the essential supplies that many children will be awaiting this Christmas: nutritious meals, vital medicines, warm clothing, and secure sleeping arrangements. Baxter pointed out the stark contrast between the consumer‑driven holiday narrative and the reality for millions of children facing deprivation.
"Anything you can order online can be delivered with a few clicks," she remarked. "But for countless youngsters this December, the most precious deliveries aren’t toys or sweets—they’re the basics that keep them alive and healthy. By framing the holiday season around these critical deliveries, we hope to inspire donors to think differently about what truly matters." Participants who wish to join Save Point can sign up through the event’s registration page, where they will receive guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream, choosing donation platforms, and promoting their stream to maximise reach. The charity will provide resources such as graphics, donation trackers, and talking points to help streamers keep their audiences informed about the impact of each contribution.
Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, Save Point seeks to cultivate a culture of philanthropy within the gaming ecosystem. By offering an accessible entry point—no marathon training required, just a computer, a headset, and a willingness to play for a cause—the event hopes to attract a diverse array of participants, from casual players to professional e‑sports athletes. The inclusive nature of the format is designed to demonstrate that anyone can make a difference, regardless of skill level or fame. Looking ahead, Baxter expressed optimism that the success of Save Point will pave the way for more collaborative ventures between charities and the gaming industry.
"We’re only scratching the surface of what’s possible," she said. "Future initiatives could involve in‑game charity items, virtual concerts, or even dedicated game modes where proceeds go directly to humanitarian projects. The key takeaway is that the gaming community is eager to give back, and we’re here to provide the channels for that generosity." In summary, Save Point represents an innovative fusion of entertainment and empathy, leveraging the global reach of livestreaming platforms to spotlight the urgent needs of children worldwide during the holiday season.
By inviting gamers, streamers, and their audiences to rally around a common purpose, Save the Children aims to transform the act of playing into a powerful vehicle for social good, delivering life‑saving aid to those who need it most.