Donations to the UK's charities that support the armed forces surged by more than 25 per cent between 2008 and 2010, while donations to other charities dropped by 4.3 per cent, according to research by the Charities Aid Foundation.

The lands Down Under have topped the first World Giving Index, with their populations exhibiting high levels of philanthropy, volunteerism and community-mindedness.

The number of people giving to charity fell by 3 per cent over the last year, triggering the same drop in the amount donated to the sector, according to the UK Giving 2007 report