The Royal British Legion piloted a scheme this week allowing the public to buy poppies using cashless technology.  

The ‘tap the poppy’ campaign took place in Birmingham last Tuesday where collection tins and posters have been enabled with near field communication (NFC) technology. The campaign, delivered by Proxama and Paythru, allows the public to tap the icon with their smartphones and donate to the charity.

Claire Rowcliffe, midlands regional fundraising manager for the Royal British Legion, said: “We’re hoping that this will make it easier for people to support the Royal British Legion on their way to and from work, adding to the success of the Poppy Day and Poppy Appeal."

The scheme was piloted across five locations in Birmingham, including New Street Station and Birmingham Airport, for the city’s first Poppy Day.

Rupert Potter, director of strategy at Paythru, said: “We’re delighted to be chosen to support The Royal British Legion in implementing ‘tap to donate’, an innovative new mobile donation concept.

Proxana did not charge the Royal British Legion for the use of the technology due to it being a charity.

Potter added that the aim was to “increase the number and size of donations, allow Royal British Legion to collect gift-aid on donations and to collect contact details for donors, at this year’s Birmingham Poppy Appeal.”

The Poppy Appeal is the nation’s largest fundraising campaign in support of the British Armed Forces. The Royal British Legion is aiming to raise £37m during the appeal.