A group of neo-Nazis marching through a German town have unwittingly raised funds for a charity promoting tolerance and fighting neo-Nazism.

Businesses and residents in the town of Wunsiedel in Bavaria agreed to each donate €10 to EXIT-Germany – a charity that helps former neo-Nazis to escape the fascist scene – for every metre waked during the annual neo-Nazi parade in the town.

Wunsiedel is the burial place of Hitler’s former deputy Rudolph Hess and has been the chosen site for the annual neo-Nazi march on Germany’s National Day of Mourning, when victims of “war and tyranny” are honoured. The march by members of Germany’s far right factions, has taken place annually for the past two decades.

The town had traditionally silently protested the marchers’ presence, but this year decided on a different approach. Organisers of the fundraising hung colourful banners encouraging and thanking the Nazis on their trek, and even handed out some bananas for sustenance to make sure the Nazis could make it to the finish line.

The below video, posted online by EXIT, claims the marchers only realised what was happening when they reached the finish line.

Fundraising co-organiser Fabian Wichmann told German news agency DPA, "We want to show what else you can do, what other courses of action you have," he told German news agency DPA.

"You can do more than just block the street or close the shutters."