This holiday season, Save the Children is set to roll out its very first gaming‑focused and live‑streaming fundraiser, an event dubbed "Save Point." The initiative, scheduled for December 5‑6, 2026, merges the excitement of video games with the power of digital philanthropy, aiming to rally both seasoned gamers and casual players around a common cause. 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 the gaming community.
"We wanted a platform where we could interact with gamers not just as donors, but as partners in storytelling and impact," Baxter explained. "Traditional fundraising events like marathons are fantastic, but they aren’t accessible to everyone. A gaming marathon or streaming marathon can be joined from a living room, a bedroom, or even a dorm, making participation far more inclusive." The event will be anchored by a collaboration with well‑known online creator and streamer TheKapFantastic, who previously helped raise more than £5,000 for Save the Children earlier in the year.
Baxter emphasised that the partnership is just the beginning of a longer‑term strategy to cultivate relationships with influencers and content creators in the gaming space. "Our hope is that after Save Point concludes, we’ll have opened doors to a new wave of supporters who see gaming as a viable avenue for charitable action. If we can turn a single stream into a lasting relationship, that’s a win for both the charity and the community," she said. Baxter also highlighted the learning component of the event.
"Because this is our first foray into a gaming‑centric fundraiser, the insights we gather—from viewer engagement metrics to donation patterns—will be invaluable. We intend to use that data to refine future campaigns, making each successive event bigger, more engaging, and more effective," she noted. This iterative approach reflects a broader trend within the nonprofit sector, where organisations are increasingly adopting agile, data‑driven methods to optimise outreach.
Describing gamers and streamers, Baxter called them "the unsung heroes of fundraising," pointing out that the gaming world is forging "a new, innovative standard" for charitable support. She elaborated on the cultural alignment between gamers and philanthropy: "Gamers are storytellers at heart. We love immersive narratives, creative problem‑solving, and escaping into alternate realities. When we channel that passion into real‑world impact, we demonstrate just how powerful that community can be." Save Point is a cornerstone of Save the Children’s broader campaign, "The One Delivery That Matters," which launches in November 2026.
The campaign seeks to shift public focus from traditional holiday gifts to essential supplies that children in crisis need most—food, medicine, warm clothing, and safe shelter. Baxter underscored the urgency of this message: "Imagine being able to click a button and have a life‑saving package arrive at a child’s doorstep.
For many families this Christmas, that’s not a luxury; it’s a necessity." The event’s structure will blend live gameplay, interactive challenges, and real‑time donation drives. Participants can sign up to host their own fundraising streams, with resources provided by Save the Children to help them set up donation links, share impact stories, and engage viewers.
The charity will also feature exclusive in‑game items and digital badges as incentives for donors, creating a gamified experience that mirrors the mechanics of the games themselves. In addition to the main streaming schedule, Save Point will host panel discussions with industry experts, game developers, and humanitarian workers. These sessions aim to educate viewers on how the gaming ecosystem can be leveraged for social good, covering topics such as ethical monetisation, community management, and the logistics of delivering aid during the holiday season.
Baxter expressed optimism that the event will generate a ripple effect beyond the immediate fundraising goal. "If we can demonstrate that a gaming marathon can raise significant funds and awareness, other organisations will be inspired to explore similar models.
The more we normalise this kind of digital philanthropy, the stronger the overall ecosystem becomes," she said. The charity encourages anyone interested in taking part—whether as a streamer, a donor, or a volunteer—to register through the Save Point landing page. Those who sign up will receive a toolkit containing step‑by‑step guidance on setting up a livestream, tips for audience engagement, and information on how to promote the cause across social platforms.
In summary, Save Point represents a bold experiment at the intersection of entertainment and empathy. By inviting gamers to transform their passion into tangible aid, Save the Children hopes to not only meet its immediate fundraising targets but also to lay the groundwork for a sustainable, game‑driven model of charitable giving that can be replicated worldwide in the years to come.