This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused and streaming‑driven fundraiser, a venture they have christened "Save Point." The initiative, which will run over two days in early December, is designed to tap into the enthusiasm and reach of the video‑game community while raising vital funds for children in need. Fiona Baxter, the organisation’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. "Save Point was born from a wider desire to engage more with the gaming community," she explained. "We wanted an event that would resonate with both partners in the industry and individual supporters who might not be able to take part in traditional physical challenges like marathons.
Gaming offers a more accessible platform, allowing a different kind of supporter to make a tangible impact." Unlike a marathon, which demands extensive physical preparation, a gaming fundraiser can be joined from the comfort of one’s own home, requiring only a console, a PC, or even a mobile device. This accessibility opens the door for a far larger and more diverse audience to contribute. Baxter emphasised that the event is not just about raising money; it is also an opportunity to showcase how varied supporters can rally behind a cause in ways that suit their interests and abilities. To give the event a high‑profile launch, Save the Children has teamed up with popular online content creator and livestreamer TheKapFantastic.
The streamer has a proven track record of supporting the charity, having previously raised more than £5,000 earlier in the year. This partnership exemplifies the symbiotic relationship the charity hopes to cultivate: creators receive a meaningful cause to champion, while the charity gains exposure to the creator’s dedicated fanbase.
Baxter expressed a clear intention to continue nurturing these relationships beyond the two‑day event. "It would be incredible to reach more people in this community with information about the work we do and why it's important," she 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." She also highlighted the learning potential embedded in the inaugural effort. "There are 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. This reflective approach suggests that Save the Children sees Save Point as a pilot that will inform a series of future gaming‑centric campaigns. In describing gamers and streamers, Baxter called them "unsung heroes of fundraising," pointing out that the gaming world is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support. She elaborated on the cultural traits that make gamers uniquely positioned to drive change: "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." Save Point forms part of the broader "The One Delivery That Matters" campaign, slated to launch in November 2026. This campaign seeks to shift public attention from the typical festive focus on toys and treats to the essential supplies that many children desperately need during the holiday season. Baxter underscored this point, saying, "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 campaign aims to highlight that, for countless children around the globe, the most valuable gifts this year will be food, medicine, warm clothing, and a safe place to sleep.
By aligning the gaming fundraiser with this message, Save the Children hopes to channel the generosity of the gaming community toward these life‑saving deliveries. Save Point is scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026.
Participants can sign up by registering their interest through the provided link, after which they will receive guidance on how to set up a fundraising livestream. The charity will supply resources such as donation trackers, promotional graphics, and tips for engaging viewers, ensuring that even newcomers to streaming can run a professional‑looking fundraiser. In addition to the primary livestreams, the event will feature a series of side activities: charity gaming tournaments, collaborative speed‑run challenges, and Q&A sessions with developers who have pledged to donate a portion of their game sales.
These ancillary elements are intended to keep the audience engaged throughout the two‑day window and to maximise donation potential. The partnership model also includes corporate sponsors from the gaming industry, who will match donations or provide in‑game items whose purchase contributes directly to the cause.
This multi‑layered approach not only diversifies revenue streams but also embeds the charity’s mission within the everyday experiences of gamers. Overall, Save Point represents a strategic evolution in how charities can harness digital culture for social good. By meeting supporters where they already spend time—online, in front of screens, immersed in interactive worlds—Save the Children is pioneering a model that could reshape fundraising for years to come. The success of this inaugural event will likely set the tone for future collaborations, cementing the gaming community’s role as a powerful ally in the fight to protect and nurture vulnerable children worldwide.