London 2012 saw a huge interest in the Paralympics with Channel 4's coverage of the Games reaching 39.9 million people as the likes of Britain's leg amputee sprinter Jonnie Peacock (pictured top, centre) drew record television crowds for live disability sport in the UK.

The donations have come through JustGiving, a company set up in 2000 for the administration of charitable donations.

One of the charities to benefit the most was the British Paralympic Association (BPA), which has seen direct donations through JustGiving rise nearly six-fold compared with the same period last year.

Both the English Federation of Disability Sport and disabled children's charity Whizz-kidz have also benefited, seeing direct online donations rise by 72 per cent and 43 per cent, respectively.

Collectively the three charities raised £24,781 ($39,793/€30,694) in August 2011, but this rose to £61,958 ($99,517/€76,747) in August this year when the Paralympic Games were staged in London.

The new figures are based on direct donations to the three charities, through JustGiving, comparing August last year to this.

"The fact that technological advances of the last four years have been so dramatic means that someone can pick up their phone or tablet and donate instantly to a cause that inspires them," said the managing director of JustGiving Anne-Marie Huby.

"This wasn't quite possible during the last Paralympics – but it's great that causes can now benefit instantly."

The extra donations will help the BPA in its preparations for Sochi 2014 and Rio 2016

BPA chief executive Tim Hollingsworth has also expressed his delight at the rise in donations.

"The money raised by our supporters will help us to carry forward the momentum created by the home Games and ensure the athletes aiming for Sochi, Rio and beyond receive the same preparations as their London counterparts," said Hollingsworth.

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