Two newspapers announce Christmas appeal totals

The Financial Times and The Guardian have announced the totals raised by their Christmas charity appeals.

The Financial Times 'seasonal appeal' raised $1,639,185 (£1,014,476) for Action Against Hunger/ACF International. Fundraising activities for the appeal, which ran from November 2010 to January 2011, included an online auction of lunches with senior FT writers, with meals donated by restaurants, together with a London wine auction and a New York gala dinner.

Weight Watchers International and the John and Wendy Neu Family Foundation contributed $100,000 and $200,000 in matched gifts to help boost the apepal.

This year for the first time the FT's website featured a range of blogs from ACF staff working on projects.

The Guardian and Observer Christmas appeal raised £428,000 to be distributed equally among 10 projects that help young people held back by poverty, low educational attainment, addiction, chaotic family backgrounds, or mental illness.

The total was similarly boosted by matched funding: £100,000 was raised through The Big Give's campaign in December. A further £17,000 was donated on the day that Guardian and Observer journalists staffed the donation lines on a Saturday.

The charities benefiting from the appeal are:

* Access to Industry

* Hackney Young Carers

* Bolton Lads and Girls Club

* Catch22

* Children Our Ultimate Investment UK

* Fairbridge

* IntoUniversity

* Llamau

* N-Compass Butterfly project

* Venture trust

www.guardian.co.uk/society/christmas-charity-appeal-2010