Tri-Service

More Than £1bn Given To Armed Forces Charities

More than £1 billion has been given to armed forces charities between 2009 and 2013.

According to the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), seven in 10 people in the UK supported at least one of the charities in the past year.

Donations from the public have become increasingly generous, with voluntary donations to the organisations increasing by 81% between 2007 and 2013.

2013 is the most recent year for which figures are available.

According to the CAF, the most popular way to show support is to buy a Remembrance Day poppy, with 60% purchasing one.

One in three people have given money, while one in seven had bought a charity wristband or other merchandise.

Older people were much more likely to support the armed forces than the young.

Around 86% of over-65s had supported one of the charities in the past year, while just over half of 18-34-year-olds had done so.

However, while donations remained high in 2013, with £230 million given, they were down from a 2012 peak of £272 million.

The Chief Executive of CAF, John Low, said: “It is fantastic to see that the amazing support armed forces charities give to serving troops, veterans and their families continues to be recognised and backed by the public.”

“There has been a huge surge in support for these charities in recent years, in part reflecting people’s desire to so something to support those who fought on our behalf in long-running conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

“However, there can be no room for complacency, and these charities will be working hard to ensure the vital work they have to do is not overlooked by the public now that our troops are less involved in direct combat.”

“Britain is one of the most generous countries in the world and this survey shows how people rally round to help causes they care about when they can see what charities really can achieve. Armed forces charities are great ambassadors for the important role that civil society plays in all aspects of life in the UK.”