FRENCH people are continuing to donate generously to charities despite the economic crisis, with donations up 5.5% last year, new figures reveal.
Charities body France Générosités said medical research remained the top cause in 2009, representing 43% of all donations.
Donations to anti-poverty groups made up 37% of the total - up from 30% in 2008.
This was to the detriment of human rights charities - 14% instead of 20% - and environmental groups, which made up 6% instead of the previous year's 11%.
France Générosités said people's priorities appeared to be changing in 2010, with a focus on local charities that provide day-to-day help instead of long-term medical prevention.
You can deduct up to 75% of your donations to certain charities in France and Britain from your French tax bill.
Associations eligible for 75% tax relief are those which provide meals, accommodation, free medical and dental services for needy people, overseas or in France. These include Les Restaurants du Coeur, La Croix-Rouge and Médecins sans Frontières.
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