This is being done as part of an ATM partnership with LINK to support the Government's 'Giving' initiative to encourage new and innovative ways to raise funds for charity.

The scheme offers a new way to donate, allowing Tesco customers to give up to £300 in one ATM transaction from their own bank account to one of seven charities, all of whom are partnering Tesco Bank in this initiative.

Tesco Bank's existing community programme focuses on the development of children and young people and for that reason it has chosen five national and international charities that share these aims - Action for Children, Barnardo's, Teenage Cancer Trust, Together for Short Lives and Save the Children. Tesco's Charity of the Year, Cancer Research UK is also included, as well as the Disasters Emergency Committee which all LINK partners have agreed to offer as a donation option on their ATMs.

Claire Rowney, Head of Corporate Partnerships at Cancer Research UK said: "We're always keen to find new ways to make it quicker and simpler for our supporters to donate so we're delighted to be included in Tesco Bank's new initiative. The donations made will mean our scientists can focus on more research to find out how we can get cancer diagnosed earlier and help more people to survive cancer in the future."

Andrew Harris, Director of Fundraising at Action for Children said: "Action for Children are absolutely thrilled to be one of Tesco Bank's chosen charities. The funds raised through this initiative will enable us to reach some of the most vulnerable and neglected children and young people across the UK."

Tesco Bank Chief Executive, Benny Higgins added: "Tesco has a proud record of fundraising for worthy causes and for supporting the communities in which we operate, so I am delighted that ATMs at Tesco stores are taking part in this fantastic initiative. With over 2,200 of our stores with ATMs, this gives Tesco customers a convenient and safe way to donate to charity."

Tescsco Bank, along with RBS and NatWest, are the first UK banks to offer charitable giving via LINK ATM machines to any customers as long as their card issuer has implemented charity giving on their issuing systems.

This initiative will raise money for charity in addition to Tesco Bank's existing ATM donation scheme. Tesco Bank already donates money to the Tesco Charity of the Year, Cancer Research UK, each time a customer uses an ATM at Tesco stores. Since June 2008, through this initiative Tesco Bank has donated over £250,000 for Marie Curie Cancer Care, Muscular Dystrophy, CLIC Sargent and the Alzheimer's Society.