Three retail trade charities have pledged their support to a UK charitable coalition group.
The Confectioners Benevolent Fund, Caravan and News-trAid have signed up to Benevolence Today, which consists of 31 partners who between them helped 26,000 people last year.
The coalition aims to raise understanding of benevolence, encourage more people in need to apply for support and to increase efficiency by referring applicants to appropriate sources of help.
In a joint statement the three charities said: "We are delighted to be involved in this worthwhile initiative. We want to reach out to those in need to offer our support. This is just one of the many ways we can help do that."