The mother of a fallen soldier claimed her decision to record an apologetic phone call from Gordon Brown has saved lives.

Jacqui Janes, 47, hit the headlines earlier in the month after the Prime Minister misspelt her dead son’s name in a letter of condolence.

Guardman Jamie Janes, 20, died in Helmand province in October, but in a letter from Downing Street he was referred to as Jamie James rather than Janes.

When Mr Brown called Mrs Janes to apologise the conversation was recorded - sparking criticism that she was had been manipulated by The Sun newspaper.

But in a letter penned to The Argus Mrs Janes said she had not received a penny from the paper and added she only recorded the call on the advice of her friend.

She explained: “It was 10pm at night and at first I thought it might be a prank call and I was in total shock to have the Prime Minister call me out of the blue.

My neighbour said to put it on loudspeaker and recorded it on his phone so I could listen to it again later.

“Secondly I am really pleased that I did record it. The main reason being because a week later, one Merlin (helicopter) was in Afghanistan and more are on their way and 20 Chinooks have been ordered. In my eyes all I have doneis try to prevent the needless death of soldiers bleeding to death through lack of helicopters.”

The 47-year-old said she had not profited from the publication of the letter.

She added: “I have never asked for a penny or been paid one.

“I did ask for a contribution to a trust fund I am setting up to provide grants for soldiers needing equipment such as boots and all-weather jackets, which they often have to buy out of their own money.

“I asked for any money to be written out directly to that fund when it is set up.”