This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑centric and live‑streaming fundraiser, an initiative dubbed Save Point. The concept emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the organization’s connection with the gaming community, a sector that has shown remarkable enthusiasm for charitable causes. Fiona Baxter, the senior fundraising manager at Save the Children, shared with 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.
"Save Point allows us to reach out to gamers and streamers both as partners and as individual donors. Not everyone can run a marathon, so an event like this is far more accessible and lets us showcase what a different type of supporter can achieve," Baxter explained.
The charity has teamed up with popular online creator and Twitch streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise over £5,000 for Save the Children earlier in the year. This partnership illustrates the growing synergy between nonprofit organisations and digital influencers who can mobilise large, engaged audiences in real time. Looking beyond the two‑day event, Baxter expressed a strong desire to continue cultivating relationships 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 matters," she said. "I’ll 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 this is Save the Children’s first foray into a gaming‑focused fundraiser, the team anticipates a steep learning curve.
"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," Baxter noted. The insights gathered will inform future campaigns, potentially expanding the scope and scale of charitable gaming events.
Baxter also highlighted gamers and streamers as "unsung heroes of fundraising," pointing out that the gaming sector is "setting a new, innovative standard" for supporting charitable causes. She described the gaming community as a group united by a love of storytelling, imagination, and escapism. "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 added.
Save Point forms part of the broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, which launches in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift the holiday narrative for millions of children who, rather than receiving toys and sweets, will be awaiting essential supplies such as food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter.
Baxter underscored this stark contrast: "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. Participants can sign up by registering their interest through the provided link, which will also supply guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream.
Once live, streamers will be able to engage their audiences, encourage donations, and showcase gameplay that ties directly into the charitable mission. Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, Save Point aims to foster a lasting community of gamers who view charitable giving as an integral part of their online identity. By integrating donation mechanisms directly into streaming platforms, the event demonstrates how technology can bridge the gap between entertainment and philanthropy. It also offers a template for other nonprofits looking to tap into the digital entertainment ecosystem.
In addition to monetary contributions, the event hopes to raise awareness about the broader challenges faced by children in conflict zones, disaster‑affected regions, and impoverished communities worldwide. By aligning the excitement of gaming with the urgency of humanitarian aid, Save the Children seeks to create a compelling narrative that resonates with younger audiences who may be more accustomed to digital interaction than traditional fundraising appeals.
Overall, Save Point represents a bold experiment in merging the worlds of gaming, live streaming, and charity. If successful, it could pave the way for a series of annual events that not only generate funds but also embed a culture of giving within the gaming community. The organization is optimistic that the combination of passionate gamers, influential streamers, and a clear humanitarian message will produce a powerful impact, both in terms of dollars raised and the lasting relationships forged for future collaborations.