The Royal British Legion will be out in force across British cities in November, collecting contactless donations for the annual Poppy Appeal through a network of 1100 cashless terminals provided by Elavon.
Over the past few years, donations collected by charities in public spaces such as high streets, shopping centres and railway stations have fallen as fewer people carry cash.
The Royal British Legion effort marks the largest-ever deployment of cashless terminals for a charitable campaign in the United Kingdom, enabling passers-by to donate with their bank card, mobile or smartwatches.
Santander UK facilitated the collaboration between Elavon and The Royal British Legion.
Olivia Moorby, head of charities London & South East, Santander UK, says: “The introduction of contactless payments by the British Legion is on a larger scale than that previously undertaken by any UK charity - we see this as a step change for charities looking to move with the times.”