Largest-ever deployment of cashless terminals for a charitable campaign in Europe.
LONDON, 29 October 2019: Elavon, a leading payments company, is supporting The Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal by providing 1,100 cashless terminals to help the charity collect donations. This effort marks the largest-ever deployment of cashless terminals for a charitable campaign in the United Kingdom, maximising fundraising potential with ease.
By making additional payment options available, more people can donate to the Poppy Appeal without using cash in UK cities. Passers-by will be able to donate with their bank card, mobile or smartwatches.
Cashless terminals will be available at the Poppy Days below:
- 30 October -- Leeds Poppy Day
- 31 October -- London Poppy Day
- 5 November -- Birmingham Poppy Day
- 6 November -- Bristol Poppy Day
- 7 November -- Manchester Poppy Day
Simon O Leary, Assistant Director of Fundraising for The Royal British Legion, commented: “This is an exciting step for us. Often, people want to donate but can’t as they don’t have cash handy. By working with Elavon, we can make it simpler for the public to support our Armed Forces community.”
Hannah Fitzsimons, EVP and General Manager of Elavon Europe, added: “We are very proud to support this year’s Poppy Appeal. As consumer behaviour and cash use changes, we want to be at the forefront to help important charities like the Royal British Legion maximise their revenue potential to provide vital assistance to people in need.”
Elavon’s UK employees will be volunteering for London’s Poppy Appeal Day on 31 October.
According to recent research by UK Finance Payments Market Report 2018, four in ten payments in the UK were made by debit card, highlighting the significant growth of card payments and a decline in the use of cash. 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. By providing more digital payment options, charities such as the British Legion can increase revenue and simplify administrative efforts.
Santander UK, which offers banking services to many leading charities, facilitated the collaboration between Elavon and The Royal British Legion.
Olivia Moorby, Head of Charities London & South East, Santander UK, added: “The Poppy Appeal is a cornerstone for British people, and a time to reflect on the sacrifices made by servicemen and women. 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.”
Notes to editors
Rebecca Hackworth
Corporate Communications, Europe
Poppy Appeal
Natasha Glenville
Regional PR Manager, The Royal British Legion
Santander UK
Lara Lipsey
Millie Allen
About the Poppy Appeal
The Royal British Legion’s work is encapsulated in its motto: Live On – to the memory of the fallen and the future of the living. The Legion is the nation's biggest Armed Forces charity providing care and support to all members of the British Armed Forces past and present and their families. The Legion champions Remembrance and safeguards the Military Covenant between the nation and its Armed Forces. It is well known for the annual Poppy Appeal, and its emblem the red poppy.
About Elavon
Elavon is a leading global payments company with more than 4,300 employees and operations in 10 countries. A subsidiary of U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB), Elavon provides businesses with the technology needed to accept payments from customers, whether they are shopping in stores, at home or on the go. Its platform is distinctive in that it is common across countries, making it easier for businesses to get their payment system up and running quickly and securely.
Elavon Financial Services DAC, trading as Elavon Merchant Services, is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and the Prudential Regulation Authority and subject to limited regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority. Details about the extent of our authorisation and regulation by the Prudential Regulation Authority, and regulation by the Financial Conduct Authority are available from us on request.
About Santander
Santander UK is a financial services provider in the UK that offers a wide range of personal and commercial financial products and services. It has brought real competition to the UK, through its innovative products for retail customers and relationship banking model for UK SMEs. At 30 June 2019, the bank has around 24,000 employees. It serves around 15 million active customers, via a nationwide branch network, telephone, mobile and online banking; and 62 regional Corporate Business Centres. Santander UK is subject to the full supervision of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and the Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) in the UK. Santander UK plc customers’ eligible deposits are protected by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) in the UK.