The scheme officially launched to the public on 12 February this year after an extended campaign to encourage charities to sign up. There were some 250 organisations signed up at the time of launch, which has now grown to 420 members including 70 from Scotland.

Jon Scourse, the FSB’s chief executive, said that all of the to 20 UK wide charities had either joined the scheme or were in the process of doing so, and that FSB membership now represented 25% of all voluntary giving in the UK. “But it is just as important that smaller charities and organisations sign up to high standards of fundraising,” he said.

“Our small charities projects in Hull, West Kent and Fife are doing a fantastic job of encouraging locally based organisations to join. Later this year, we will be embarking on the next stage of our recruitment campaign, focusing on medium sized charities.”

For further information on the FSB visit www.fsboard.org.uk