Oxfam and Heathrow have announced a new three-year partnership, in which the airport has committed to raising £1.6m for the international development charity.

Oxfam predicts the partnership will increase its annual income from UK corporate partners by 10 per cent. Oxfam currently raises £5m a year from its corporate partnerships.

The charity already has a very successful corporate relationship with M&S, which was voted the most admired charity partnership last week. 

Oxfam's new partnership with Heathrow will involve a range of events with passengers and Heathrow staff. Heathrow has estimated it will raise £450,000 for Oxfam through 30 passenger coin collection points situated across all its five terminals.

Heathrow has also donated £1.08m of advertising space to Oxfam as part of the partnership.

And plans are under way to create an “innovative passenger experience within the airport” to encourage passengers to support Oxfam.

Heathrow’s staff will be raising money throughout the year with a programme of on-going activities, ranging from an annual ball to marathons, all of which are designed to work with local communities.

The new source of funding will be welcome by Oxfam which has seen a big income dip this year of £17m. The charity  blamed a fall in legacies and the failure of its emergency appeals to bring in funds.

Commenting on the new partnership with Heathrow, Andrew Barton, fundraising director at Oxfam, said:

“Partnering with Heathrow offers fantastic opportunities for Oxfam. As well as helping us raise vital funds for our work overcoming poverty worldwide, a presence at Heathrow enables us to convey the Oxfam message to a truly diverse audience; from business people to families and international travellers”

Clare Harbord, communications director at Heathrow, said the partnership with a charity which works globally was a good fit for the organisation.