The Big Give, a Christmas charity led by recruitment boss James Reed, has surpassed Children In Need and Comic Relief as 2024's largest fundraising.

Donations of £45 million poured in in the week to December 10 from 120,000 members of the public.

This was a 35 per cent rise on last year's record-breaking £33 million.

The haul included £20 million in 'matching funds' by philanthropists, foundations and companies, which promised to match contributions from ordinary donors.

James Reed, head of employment agency Reed, said: 'The record amount was raised despite many people still being squeezed by the cost-of-living crisis. 

'We had hoped to beat last year's record total, but to do so by such a margin is extraordinary. 

'I want to thank everyone who chose one of over 1,250 charities to support, and our generous funding champions who doubled those donations.'

The Big Give aims to raise £1 billion by the end of the decade.