CHARITABLE donations have almost doubled in the past 18 months.
New research from BACS Payment Scheme the company behind Direct Debit said that over the past year British people have donated a massive £6.2 billion, nearly double the £3.2 billion in previous years.
However benefactors will miss out on £419 million of that as taxpayers fail to take advantage of tax breaks afforded to charities.
Eight in 10 adults donated to charity last year giving an average £158, while women were the most generous, giving £173 compared to £142 a year from men.
Natural disasters such as the Asian tsunami prompted more people to give more than they normally would.
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