They advance and charge (12)

'they' is the definition.
Both the definition and answer are plural nouns.
Maybe they are linked in a way I don't understand?

'advance and charge' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'advance' could be 'lend' (I've seen this in other clues) and 'lend' is located in the answer.
'and' could be 'n' (common abbreviation for 'and') and 'n' is found in the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

Can you help me to learn more?