This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its very first gaming‑focused and live‑streaming fundraising event, branded as Save Point. The initiative, scheduled for a two‑day run from December 5 to December 6, 2026, is designed to tap into the enthusiasm of gamers and content creators, offering a novel way for supporters to contribute to the organization’s mission. Fiona Baxter, the charity’s senior fundraising manager, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that the concept of Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the gaming community. "Save Point is allowing us to engage more with the gaming community, both from a partnership and individual supporter perspective.
Not everyone can run a marathon, so an event like this is a lot more accessible and allows us to showcase what a different type of supporter can do," she explained. By providing a platform that is both inclusive and interactive, Save Point aims to attract participants who might not be able to join traditional fundraising activities such as long‑distance runs or large‑scale charity walks. The charity has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously raised more than £5,000 for Save the Children earlier in the year. This partnership underscores the organization’s strategy of leveraging established influencers to amplify its reach.
Baxter emphasized that the collaboration is just the beginning: "It would be incredible to reach more people in this community with information about the work we do and why it’s important. 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." Beyond the immediate fundraising goal, Save Point is positioned as a learning experience for the charity. "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—from viewer engagement metrics to donation patterns—will inform future campaigns, allowing Save the Children to refine its approach and scale up its impact within the gaming sector. Baxter also highlighted the pivotal role that gamers and streamers play in modern philanthropy, calling them the "unsung heroes of fundraising." She observed that the gaming space is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support.
This sentiment reflects a growing recognition that the gaming community, with its love for storytelling, imagination, and immersive experiences, can translate virtual passion into tangible, real‑world outcomes. "There is an understanding between 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," she added.
Save Point is a cornerstone of Save the Children’s broader campaign titled "The One Delivery That Matters," which launches in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift public attention from the typical holiday gift‑giving narrative to the urgent needs of children worldwide who are awaiting essential supplies this Christmas. Rather than toys and sweets, many children are in desperate need of food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter.
Baxter illustrated this contrast poignantly: "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." To take part in Save Point, interested individuals can register their interest through a dedicated link, which will also provide guidance on setting up a fundraising livestream. Participants are encouraged to create engaging content—whether it’s a marathon gaming session, a competitive tournament, or a collaborative play‑through—while promoting donation drives throughout the broadcast. The charity will supply resources, such as donation widgets and promotional assets, to help streamers maximize their fundraising potential.
The event also promises several interactive features to keep audiences engaged. Viewers will have the opportunity to unlock virtual badges, trigger in‑game challenges, and see real‑time donation tallies displayed on the stream.
These gamified elements aim to foster a sense of community and competition, encouraging higher participation rates and larger contributions. From a logistical standpoint, Save the Children is collaborating with several gaming platforms and technology partners to ensure a smooth streaming experience. Technical support will be available to troubleshoot any issues that arise during the live broadcasts, and a dedicated moderation team will monitor chat interactions to maintain a positive and inclusive environment.
In addition to raising funds, Save Point serves an educational purpose. Throughout the event, the charity plans to intersperse short informational segments that highlight its work in areas such as emergency response, education, and child protection. These segments will feature stories from beneficiaries, expert commentary, and calls to action, providing viewers with a deeper understanding of how their contributions directly affect children’s lives.
Looking ahead, Baxter expressed optimism about the long‑term relationship between Save the Children and the gaming ecosystem. "We’re eager to keep building relationships with gamers and streamers after the event concludes," she said. "The momentum we generate now can evolve into a sustained partnership, where gaming becomes a regular avenue for charitable engagement, and where we continuously innovate to meet the evolving preferences of digital audiences." In summary, Save Point represents a forward‑thinking approach to philanthropy, marrying the excitement of video games with the urgency of humanitarian aid. By inviting gamers, streamers, and their audiences to contribute in a format that aligns with their interests, Save the Children hopes to not only meet its immediate fundraising targets but also to lay the groundwork for a new era of charitable collaboration within the digital entertainment sphere.