Giving Tuesday: How day for 'radical generosity' went global

More than 80 countries from around the world are expected to join this year's Giving Tuesday, when acts of "radical generosity" are encouraged.

The growing global phenomenon takes place each year on the first Tuesday after US Thanksgiving.

GivingTuesday, the non-profit that created the movement in 2012, says every act of generosity counts.

It tracked a record $2.7bn (£2.2bn) donated by 35 million people on Giving Tuesday in the US last year.

That was a 10% increase from the year before. It was also more than double the estimated $1.3bn or so in charitable giving by Americans on a typical day last year.

Every act of generosity will count on Tuesday 29 November, said Asha Curran, chief executive and co-founder of GivingTuesday, whether its donating money, volunteering or simply smiling at someone.