Charity donation vending machines stocking donation cards from seven charities have been installed in what organisers are calling a UK first. 

The three specially fitted vending machines will be open to the public in the Touchwood Shopping Centre, Solihull, Birmingham, from 15 to 27 November. 

The charities involved are FareShare, Jesuit Refugee Service, Muslim Aid, The Felix Project, iDE, Shelterbox and Little Hearts Matter.

The donation cards will range from £3 to £405. 

In supporting Shelterbox, for example, donation cards can be purchased for a mosquito net for £3, a solar light for £15, a clean water kit for £60 or a humanitarian tent for £405.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has brought the machines to the UK as part of the Mormon church’s annual Light the World Christmas initiative. All the funds raised will go to the chosen charities. 

Lisa McCormack, director of fundraising and communications at ShelterBox, said: “Fundraising drives like these mean we can deliver vital aid like tents, water filters and thermal blankets to people who need them. 

“The wonderful people who donate through these vending machines will be making a tangible difference to people who have often lost not only their homes but loved ones and livelihoods too.”