Companies are being encouraged to donate money which would have been used for staff Christmas parties to charity.
Xmas Party Heroes is a new campaign which is calling on businesses to support good causes, as festive parties are cancelled because of the pandemic.
They say more than £500,000 has already been pledged.
Among the businesses backing the idea is Bolton based property firm Landmark Group.
On its website the company said: "We are delighted to be a founding partner of the Xmas Party Heroes campaign.
"The campaign’s aim is to encourage businesses to donate the unused cost of the Xmas party and entertainment they can’t have due to Covid this year to a charity of their choice.
"We are confident that the campaign will be able to divert a sizeable portion of the unspent funds to good causes over this festive period and beyond.
"A number of large businesses have already pledged their support, as well as numerous charities who have seized upon the idea and will be promoting it themselves."
Those behind the campaign say that all money pledged will go directly to charity.
The four week national lockdown is due to end on December 2, but the tier system and other coronavirus rules are set to make any festive gatherings impossible in most places across the country.
Companies who want to take part are asked to state the charity they are supporting and their pledge total on the Xmas Party Heroes website.
For more information visit xmaspartyheroes.co.uk
