The first donation - a £20,000 cheque from Kent County Council - was given to Brigadier Charlie Hobson, the organiser of the fund, at a special ceremony.

Kent County councillor Alan Marsh said the money had been raised by donations by local authority workers.

He said: "The appeal is to enable those returning service people who have been injured and received artificial limbs to train for the Paralympics of 2012.

"They are young people, still in the prime of their lives, so they have immense determination and will to succeed.

"What we want if for them to bring home a gold medal or two.

"As far as Kent is concerned you [the Marines] are ours and we most definitely are yours."

Hobson added: "The determination, the will to forge ahead and the sense of humour of the Royal Marines is well known.

"This appeal will enable those who have sacrificed so much for their country the further chance to go for glory in the field of sport.

"It gives the chance of a different direction to their lives."

Among those attending the reception was Peter Dunning (pictured), a Royal Marine who lost both his legs serving in Afghanistan but who is now hoping to compete at Sochi as a downhill skier.

He said: "When I was laying in my hospital bed I expected nothing more than possibly a quick handshake and a 'well done' from one of the officers.

"Now I am part of this campaign and looking forward to being part of a Paralympic skiing team.

"My goal is to take part in the Games set for 2014 - but I also have the chance to go out to Vancouver where the Games are currently taking place to sample the atmosphere.

"This sort of appeal gives something back to those who have lost so much.

"It shows that people do care and understand the sacrifices made by members of the Armed Forces.

"Certainly it has given me a goal and something very positive to aim for."