Britons in record £75m salute to Armed Forces

was the Royal British Legion, which was gifted £16million. It uses its funds to help serving and former personnel with housing, mental and physical care and finding jobs.

Others to benefit included Blind Veterans UK with £11.3million, the RAF Benevolent Fund on £10million and Help for Heroes which had £8.1million in bequests.

The Charities Aid Foundation, which helps the public give to good causes, has its roots in a charitable legacy left by a First World War soldier killed in the Battle the Somme 100 years ago.

Susan Pinkney, of the CAF, said: “Armed Forces charities offer incredible support and services to serving troops, veterans and their families and it is clear to see how much their work is valued by the British public.

“Our analysis reveals that people donate tens of millions to military charities in their wills every year and that figure is on the rise.

“It is proof that the tremendous sacrifices our troops make in the of service of Great Britain matters profoundly to so many of us.

“Many of us will be marking Armed Forces Day today by making a contribution to a good cause as we reflect on the contributions made by our servicemen and women from veterans of World War I, a hundred years ago, to those who served in more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan.

“Britain is one of the most generous countries in the world and these figures show people give to causes they care about and believe in what charities can achieve.

“Armed Forces charities are great ambassadors for the important role that civil society plays in all aspects of life in the UK.”

Other charities to benefit included The Royal Star & Garter Homes which received £6.4million.

The Gurkha Welfare Trust, which works with poverty-stricken former soldiers and their families, mainly in Nepal, saw its coffers boosted by £5.7million.