From next year Brits will be able to make charitable donations at cash machines thanks to an agreement forged by industry players and supported by the government.
The government floated the proposal in December in a "giving" green paper designed to promote a "culture of generosity" as part of PM David Cameron's big society agenda.
The idea appears to be popular, with a YouGov poll of 2094 adults for Link finding that 43% of those that use a cash machine at least once a fortnight would sometimes make a donation. Over a quarter of 18 to 24 year olds who use an ATM at least once a month say they would always make a 10p donation.
Now the Link ATM network says banks, building societies and cash machine operators have agreed to come together to introduce the feature from next year.
Under the plans, all 100 million Link-enabled cards will be able to donate through ATMs with a donations option offered as a separate menu item on the screen, or as a post-transaction offering. Customers are likely to be able to choose a value to donate from a range of pre-set figures or enter a specific amount of their own choice.
Whether to offer donations at a particular ATM will be a decision for the individual operator as will the choice and number of charities involved.
Francis Maude, cabinet office minister, says: "I am delighted by the support of Link's member banks, building societies and ATM operators for enabling charity donations at cash machines. This will make charity giving quicker and easier for so many people as they can incorporate giving into their regular routine."
In the latest big society relaunch, Cameron is set to give a speech this morning in which he will also push to make it easier for people to donate automatically from their paychecks.
However, the government plans come as charities are raising concerns that donations could be hit by the planned abolition of cheques in 2018. Last month the Institute of Fundraising warned that the proposal could "spell disaster" for many.