Donate contactless with Tap London

Excellent idea, I would definitely donate this way, as I usually don't carry cash on me these days. Sure, the root cause of homelessness will still remain, but we can't ignore the homeless needing help right now. We need a multi pronged approach. There is no excuse for homelessness in a nation as wealthy as ours. 

I've seen one of these tap collectors built into the window storefront of a charity shop in Angel, and I donated to that with no qualms as I did not feel there would be a fraud risk. I would be more wary of charity muggers with machines about on the street though.

A good idea - I had not heard of this before. Good to get more money in to help homeless, but I suspect it needs a sustained and rather expensive effort.

Any form of Brexit will decrease the amount of money available for this sort of thing of course.

A very good idea.  Put them up where people beg.  I'd have various amounts though, as I suspect that most people's "feel better about how nice they are" donation is about a pound.  This will let people do somthing that is more helpful than buying a drink for the person inspiring the guilt, not that there's anything wrong with buying someone a drink, of course.  It's impossible to know who really needs the money and who is a "professional" beggar, or just has mental health problems.

I think this is a great idea.  However I would like it, if you could invest in the people, not the charities.  For this to happen, further development of the idea would have to occur.  I am not in to giving people on the streets cash as I have seen how some of the people have to give commission to people, so that they can retain their patch (amongst other things).  It would be great if this technology could be used to build up a 'fund' for individuals so that they could use it at shelters, and for additional support services/food within them.  It would mean that the charities do get the money, but it is via the people who really need their help.  It would also have a psychological effect on the people on the street, making them realise that people care and encourage them off the streets to get the support.  Would not work with everyone, but maybe a start.

I agree with other commenters about the risk of fraud. 

Also the importance of giving this money to charities that change their lives around and not just supporting their lives on the street. (Well put simonfiona)

also I have seen these devices before with charity collectors on the street (cancer research or someone) good tech but very easily replicated to be fraudulent. 

Another idea would be to put something like this inside banks or shopping centres so there is cctv and you know it’s legit. Run this program with Tesco metro or someone and you’ll be on to a winner. 

This seems like a good alternative to giving the homeless cash when they beg in the street. I agree with the previous commentator who said that it's important that the money is spent on projects that help people off the streets and not just soup kitchens that help them survive. 

I do fear that there could be unexpected repercussions, but it will be interesting to see how it works out. I expect the technology has cost quite a bit to invest in so it needs to be very successful to break even. it's a pity that the scheme does not permit gift aid to be added to these charitable donations, as it would be if people gave through normal websites. Perhaps a website could be set up to be advertised on these Tap London device.

Great cause.  Seems to offer respite more than cure.  Don't like 'tapping' charity personally. Prefer it where charity can recover tax element too and I actually know how the money is spent.  Prefer to set up to pay larger sums to chosen charities on an annual basis.  But hey!  If people want to tap, it's all money to a needy cause.  It all spends well.

I think this is a great idea. Their presence should encourage donations which can only be a good thing. The government keeps telling us we're the fifth richest nation, so why do we still have people sleeping rough? I think it's a scandalous disgrace in a country as rich as ours. I would use such a device as long as I was sure that it was genuine. It would be a very handy way of supporting the homeless. My one concern is fraud. Just as fraudsters mimic ATMs, I'm sure they'll try and build fake machines. I would like to know what its security features are.

Let Mr Khan dig into his deep pocket and make a large donation to the homeless, he comes up with these idea’s how does he expect the public to help when there weekly funds are low, all he ever does is come up with idea’s to make people poorer.

i feel for the homeless but when more than the average person is on the breadline there  selves what does he expect us to do.we are poorer and poorer with all these charges he keeps putting to us the next one is the ULEZ UNLESS YOU STOP TAXI’s working in London it won’t make any difference to pullution taxi drivers can earn a good wage if willing to work and yet they are exempt from paying this charge. A normal working driver is being punished yet again.

mr Khan help the homeless and help the poorer driver that is just trying to earn a living to survive.

How many times will you touch in to hel the homeless?????????