Two-thirds of people aged between 30 and 45 are willing for their elderly parents to leave considerable gifts to charity in their will, a survey by Remember A Charity has found.

In a survey of 1,000 adults aged between 30 and 45 and 1,000 adults aged over 65, Remember A Charity said that most of the younger generation surveyed said they would be happy with their parents donating on average 16 per cent of their estate to charity.

One in 10 people surveyed said they actively encouraged their parents to use their will to do social good, and 5 per cent said they wanted to see the full estate go to charity.

In comparison, the over-65s surveyed thought an average of 5 per cent of their estate should go to charity.

The survey found that these views were held despite the majority of under-45s claiming they worried about their financial future, accounting 83 per cent surveyed.

The survey also found that 67 per cent had scaled down their inheritance expectations, and only three in ten factor inheritance into their long-term financial planning.

Among the over-65s surveyed, 53 per cent said they were worried about their own finances, and 64 per cent said they were concerned about their children’s finances.

Rob Cope, director of Remember A Charity, said: “This study suggests a shift in attitudes between generations. The older generation is enthused about the concept of leaving a gift, but remains understandably anxious about the need to take care of their families.

“Meanwhile, the under-45s have become less expectant about receiving a sizeable inheritance. They are happy for their parents to make provisions in their will for all those things that matter to them, including good causes.”