Donations to charity rose from £9.7 billion to £10.3 billion during 2017, but fewer people gave, according to the largest study of giving conducted in the UK.

But those that do give are giving more, according to the annual research carried out by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF).

CAF’s annual UK Giving report, which includes interviews with more than 12,000 people by YouGov throughout 2017, found that men are less charitable than women, although on average they give more than women.

But although older people continue to give the most, the survey found a surge in the amount given by younger millennials. For the first time since the survey began 16-24 year olds gave more than those aged 25-34.

Overall, today’s report shows that despite a decline in the number of people reporting that they give to charity since 2016, the average (mean) amount given in 2017 was up from £40 to £44.

Medical research remains the most popular cause among generous Brits, followed by animal welfare, children or young people, hospitals and hospices and finally overseas aid and disaster relief.

The report found that women are once again more likely than men to participate in charitable and social activity but notably, women are also donating more financially than before. CAF’s report found the average monthly donation for women has increased from £35 to £42 closing the gap on men.

Trust in charities is stable, with around half the UK population (51%) agreeing that charities are trustworthy, consistent with 2016.

Despite the high profile of online giving, cash remains the main way in which people give to charity, decreasing only slightly in 2017.

The complete CAF UK Giving 2018 report is available for download here.