IHOP is giving away free pancakes on National Pancake Day – for charity

IHOP is giving away stacks of buttermilk pancakes for charity

IHOP is giving away free pancakes for charity (Getty)

IHOP is giving away free pancakes on 3 March as part of a charity drive for its National Pancake Day 2015.

The chain is offering a free short stack of buttermilk pancakes to customers between 7am and 10pm at 1,500 IHOP restaurants across the US.

While the pancakes are free, IHOP is encouraging charity donations. All of the proceeds will go to the Children’s Miracle Hospital Network, which helps local charities provide equipment, life-saving procedures and critical care for sick and injured children.

Guests who make a $5 donation will receive a coupon worth $5 off on their next visit.

IHOP's pancake day comes after Shrove Tuesday, which fell on February 17 this year. In Christianity, Shrove Tuesday is the day before the first day of Lent, which is called Ash Wednesday.

Pancakes are eaten on this day because they are made with eggs, butter and sugar, which were forbidden during Lent.