Aldi and M&S are among several major UK businesses collaborating this winter to unlock support for community groups and charities amid rising demand.

As part of giving platform Neighbourly’s campaign ‘GoGive’, the retailers will donate surplus food, volunteer and provide financial donations.

The goal is to deliver £1m in financial support, facilitate 5,000 hours of volunteering and redistribute 18 million meals worth of surplus food, that will positively impact over 5,000 local causes until February.

Over £460,000 has been paid out to charities in the first month and a half of the campaign.

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It comes as Neighbourly community research found that 78% of its small charity network has experienced increased demand over the last three months, with charities’ most requested products being non-perishable food items and fresh produce.

The research also found widespread concerns about volunteer availability, with 66% of small charities worried about this over the winter.

Neighbourly CEO Steve Butterworth said: “The festive season is an excellent time for businesses to start increasing their support for communities. The campaign empowers businesses to amplify their impact, driving meaningful change for charities and community groups at a time of unprecedented demand.”

Aldi UK national sustainability director Luke Emery added: “At Aldi, our aim is for fresh, healthy food to be accessible to everyone, so joining the Neighbourly GoGive campaign is a great opportunity to further this goal.

“By working together, we can enhance the accessibility of nutritious foods for those that rely on foodbanks, using the power of local connections to make a real difference.”