Shoppers in the West Midlands are the first in the country to be invited to make donations to charities – through vending machines.

For the first time in the UK, Light the World machines are being installed in Britain to help raise much needed funds for a number of local, national and international charities through donation cards.

The three specially-fitted vending machines will be open to the public in the Touchwood Shopping Centre, Solihull, from November 15 until November 27, stocking donation cards from seven charities, ranging from £3 to £400, so kind-hearted shoppers can decide exactly where their charitable contribution are spent.

Charities involved include FareShare, Jesuit Refugee Service, ShelterBox, Muslim Aid, The Felix Project, and iDE, as well as local charity Little Hearts Matter.

Light the World machines are being brought to the UK by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as part of their annual Light the World Christmas initiative.

Every penny gifted through the Light the World machines will be going to the chosen cause.

Elder Alan Phillips is the lead spokesperson for the campaign from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

He said: “We’re excited to launch the Light the World season of service here in the UK.

“This initiative offers a powerful way for individuals and communities to reach out and make a difference.

“With the Light the World machines, everyone has the opportunity to engage in meaningful acts of service that extend beyond our immediate circles, fostering kindness and strengthening community bonds.

“As we come together in this season of giving, we invite everyone to participate and experience the joy that comes from uplifting those in need and spreading light in impactful ways.”

Generous people who want to make a donation, will be able to choose from a selection of dozens of different charitable gifts by selecting the product they want, just like a normal vending machine.

Donation cards feature a wide range of items including livestock, clothing, food and educational supplies.

Kirsty Moreton is the City Lead on behalf of the Church for the West Midlands Light the World machines campaign.

She said: “We are all so excited for the Light the World machines coming to this region, and feel it is a real privilege that Solihull is the first location to host this new initiative in the UK.

“This initiative is bringing together some wonderful international, national and local charities, and we are delighted by the support and enthusiasm for this project that we have received from Touchwood Shopping Centre.”

Headquartered in Edgebaston, Little Hearts Matter is a national charity that works to provide help and support to families of children born with half a working heart.

Their donations in the machines range from £5 to £220, and include a £20 Smiley Face Balloon, which pops out of the box and is delivered straight to a child’s hospital bed following open-heart surgery.

Chief Executive of Little Hearts Matter Lisa Davies said: “I think Light the World is great.

“I was really pleased to be invited to be part of this project. It’s a great way to get the public accustomed to altruistically giving.

“We feel there are really good educational components to the campaign, and every donation to us will really make a difference for the young people and families we work to support.

“Touchwood is a brilliant shopping centre, and we’re expecting a lot of attention from Christmas shoppers, which is great.”

Other items on offer include a £3 mosquito net from ShelterBox, an international charity that supports people to rebuild their lives after disaster or conflict, and a high quality goat, for just £42, that iDE will send to a family in need of a way to earn their own money.