This holiday season, Save the Children is set to debut its very first gaming‑focused and livestream‑driven fundraising initiative, aptly titled Save Point. The new event is designed to tap into the vibrant world of video games and online streaming, offering a fresh avenue for donors and supporters to contribute to the organization’s mission.
Fiona Baxter, the senior fundraising manager at Save the Children, shared with GamesIndustry.biz that the concept for Save Point emerged from a broader ambition to deepen the charity’s connection with the gaming community. "Save Point was born out of a wider desire to engage more with the gaming community," she explained. "We wanted to create something that resonated with gamers, both as partners and as individual supporters. Not everyone can run a marathon or climb a mountain, but a gaming marathon is far more accessible and can showcase the unique impact that a different type of supporter can have." The charity has teamed up with popular online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise more than £5,000 for Save the Children earlier in the year.
This partnership underscores the charity’s strategy of collaborating with influential voices in the gaming sphere to amplify its message and fundraising reach. Baxter emphasized that the organization is keen to nurture these relationships well beyond the event itself.
"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." She also highlighted the learning potential embedded in the initiative.
"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. The insights gathered will inform future campaigns, allowing the charity to refine its approach, improve donor engagement, and maximize the impact of subsequent gaming‑centric fundraisers.
According to Baxter, gamers and streamers are often the "unsung heroes of fundraising," and she believes the gaming sector is "setting a new, innovative standard" for charitable support. "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," she said.
Save Point is a key component of Save the Children’s broader campaign, "The One Delivery That Matters," which launches in November 2026. The campaign seeks to shift public attention from traditional holiday gifts to the essential supplies that many children desperately need during the festive season—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter. Baxter underscored this point, stating, "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 Save Point 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.
By broadcasting their gameplay, streamers can encourage viewers to donate, turning entertainment into a powerful fundraising engine. The concept of leveraging gaming for charitable causes is not entirely new, but Save the Children’s approach stands out for its scale and strategic integration with a larger advocacy campaign.
By aligning the livestream fundraiser with the "One Delivery" narrative, the charity creates a cohesive story that resonates with both gamers and the general public. This synergy helps to translate the excitement of a gaming marathon into tangible support for children in need.
Moreover, the event reflects a broader trend where nonprofits are increasingly turning to digital platforms to reach younger, tech‑savvy audiences. Gaming, with its massive global user base and community‑driven culture, offers a fertile ground for building lasting donor relationships.
Streamers like TheKapFantastic bring authenticity and personal connection, which can be more persuasive than traditional advertising. In addition to fundraising, Save Point aims to educate participants about the challenges faced by children worldwide during the holiday season.
By weaving stories of real‑world need into the gaming experience—through on‑screen graphics, chat overlays, and donation milestones—the event can raise awareness while encouraging generosity. Looking ahead, Baxter envisions a future where such events become a regular fixture in the charity’s calendar. "We see immense potential for recurring gaming events that not only raise funds but also foster a community of advocates who are passionate about our cause," she said.
"Each successful stream will pave the way for larger collaborations, more diverse game genres, and innovative fundraising mechanics, such as in‑game purchases that directly support specific projects." In summary, Save Point represents an ambitious blend of entertainment, technology, and philanthropy. It offers an inclusive platform for gamers of all skill levels to contribute, provides a valuable learning experience for the charity, and, most importantly, directs crucial resources to children who need them most during the holiday season.
By harnessing the power of play, Save the Children hopes to transform a festive pastime into a life‑changing force for millions of young lives worldwide.