Save the Children Helps Make the World ‘Better With a Sweater’

People in the UK were able to make a Christmas donation simply by tapping their debit or credit card on a charity worker’s sleeve, thanks to a new contactless Christmas jumper.

Developed by Visa and Save the Children for the international aid charity’s Children’s Christmas Jumper Day on Friday 14 December, the jumper was worn by fundraisers outside 16 London Underground stations, allowing commuters to tap their contactless cards on the sleeve to donate £2 ($A$3.50).

Presenter and Love Island star Josh Denzel and popstar and Strictly Come Dancing contestant Aston Merrygold competed against each other on Friday, hoping to raise the most money in London’s Kings Cross Underground station wearing the innovative jumpers.

We’ve teamed up with @VisaUK to create the world’s first contactless Christmas jumper. Who’s going to raise more @AstonMerrygold or @JoshdenzelDW ?#ChristmasJumperDay pic.twitter.com/GMDWwpwam6

— Save the Children UK (@savechildrenuk) December 14, 2018

Save the Children predicted more than 5 million people across the UK would take part in Christmas Jumper Day, with the charity aiming to beat last year’s fundraising efforts by raising over £4.5 million (A$8 million) to help millions of children worldwide.

Since the event launched in 2012, it has raised more than £17million (A$8 million).

Sarah Button-Stephens, the campaign manager for Save the Children’s Christmas Jumper Day, said: “We are always looking for new and unique ways to reach the British public and raise vital funds for our life-saving work.

“We’re so excited to team up with Visa and develop the world’s first Christmas jumper with contactless donation technology. It’s the perfect way to raise money for Christmas Jumper Day and help make the world better with a sweater.”