Leeds Bradford Airport has announced five charities which will benefit from its annual coin collection.

Under the scheme passengers are encouraged to donate loose sterling, foreign coins or notes. Since it started over a decade ago, the initiative has raised thousands of pounds for charities in the region.

This year’s chosen charities are Martin House Children’s Hospice, in Boston Spa; Overgate Hospice, in Elland; Arthritis Research UK; the RAF Benevolent Fund and Yeadon Charities Association.

Collection boxes are located in the departure lounge on the first floor and in the baggage collection area of international arrivals.

Tony Hallwood, aviation development and marketing director at LBA said: “Leeds Bradford Airport is delighted that staff and passengers support these worthwhile causes by donating unwanted coins in arrivals and departures. The fantastic work that these charities all undertake really does make such a difference to the people that they support in our community.”

Martin House Children’s Hospice, in Boston Spa, needs to raise £4.9 million annually to care for children and young people from throughout the Yorkshire region.  Corporate fundraiser John Haigh said: “We get very little Government funding, so we rely on the support of local community and organisations to ensure we can continue to provide a free service to the families who need us.”

Peter Long of The Yeadon Charities Association said: “By supporting us in this way, Leeds Bradford Airport play an important role in helping to maintain a long-established fund which started more than a hundred years ago in 1900.

“The money raised helps fund an annual trip to the coast for 300 Yeadon senior citizens and assists locals who may require, through accident or illness, special equipment to help them in their daily lives. During 2014, we are co-funding a project for the Aireborough Summer Activities Scheme which benefits local children with disabilities and their families.”

Elizabeth Hoyle, chairman of the Otley Branch of Arthritis Research UK, said: “By supporting us, Leeds Bradford Airport will help to alleviate pain and discomfort for many local people. Arthritis is not a disease which tugs at the heart strings, yet it strikes at any age, from small babies upwards – it’s not just confined to ‘older people’.”