Very Little Helps first appeared in 2008 as a street piece on the wall of a North London pharmacy. Against a pastel-blue backdrop, it depicts three children solemnly raising a Tesco flag in a parody of a Boy Scouts’ “Breaking the Flag” ceremony. The image offers an ironic commentary on the influence of corporate power over cultural identity, suggesting that consumerism is eclipsing patriotism and higher ideals.

Later that year, Banksy released Very Little Helps as an edition of 299 signed prints through a lottery at Pictures on Walls’ open day. The lottery raised £24,406.61 for the charity Sightsavers, supporting disability rights and eye health. Due to repeated vandalism, the original mural is now protected by Perspex.