Now donate money at church using a contactless debit card

CHURCHGOERS will soon be able to donate money with a contactless debit or credit card. The Church of England is installing contactless card readers in 40 churches from August, in a trial aimed at modernising the way it collects money.

It hopes making it quicker and easier for people to give by card will boost donations. If the trial is a success, the readers could be rolled out to all dioceses next year.

Contactless cards allow you to spend up to £30 without having to enter your PIN — you just tap your card against the machine. Such payments now account for £25 billion of purchases a year in this country, according to the UK Cards Association.

Churches in other countries have accepted card payments for years. John Preston, national stewardship officer of the Church of England, says: ‘It’s all about enabling people to give in a way that suits them.’