A new survey has found that 76 per cent of respondents supported a charity by making a purchase from a charity shop over the last 12 months, according to research by PolicyBee.

The poll, conducted by insurance company PolicyBee, found that 76 per cent of 2,000 people surveyed across the UK had supported a charity by purchasing from one of its charity shops in the last year.

The survey also showed that 48 per cent had given money to “street donations”, 36 per cent of respondents had given at a charity event, and 28 per cent of respondents had made a donation online over the last 12 months.

The survey also found that “almost half of Brits have received the support or services of local charities”, while a further 77 per cent of those benefited “directly from charitable services over the past year”.

PolicyBee’s research, released to coincide with the launch of Small Charities Week, also showed that the 25-34 year-old age bracket “lead the way in community spirit” with 48 per cent of those respondents who volunteer “do so to give back to their community”.

The survey also asked respondents to define what the word ‘charity’ means to them. 73 per cent of respondents believe it means: “giving up your time or money to someone in need”, 60 per cent thought “giving food or other aid”, 55 per cent “using your skills for a good cause”, 39 per cent “spreading knowledge of worthy causes” while 35 per cent said it meant doing more “to be part of their community”.