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´óÏó´«Ã½ audiences have raised £113million for charitable causes which will help to transform the lives of people across the UK and overseas.

´óÏó´«Ã½ charity appeals reported these funds raised in the year 2007/08.

The money was raised through a range of appeals including ´óÏó´«Ã½ Children in Need, the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Performing Arts Fund, ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4 Appeals, the ´óÏó´«Ã½ Wildlife Fund and ´óÏó´«Ã½ Local Radio appeals.

The money will benefit a diverse range of areas including disadvantaged children, environmental and health causes.

Mark Thompson, Director-General of the ´óÏó´«Ã½, said: "Last year, the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s charitable appeals raised over a hundred million pounds.

"These figures are enormously impressive, and a testament to the unique relationship between the ´óÏó´«Ã½ and its audiences – and the great work of the charities involved.

"Of course it is not just about the money raised, but about the difference it will make to so many people's lives. That is an achievement of which everyone – the ´óÏó´«Ã½; the charities; and all who contributed – can be justly proud."

Charity Appeals are an important part of the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s remit as a public service broadcaster, informing the public about the wide range of work done by charities, encouraging donations and giving charities the opportunity to raise awareness of the work they do.

´óÏó´«Ã½ audiences are continuing to give generously to appeals.

Since the beginning of the current financial year, a record-breaking £20,991,216 has been donated so far to the Children in Need appeal, which will change the lives of disadvantaged children and young people across the UK.

Notes to Editors

Breakdown of money raised 2007/08:

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(1) The amount raised is over a two-year period dating from the charity’s inception

(2) Blue Peter's broadcast campaign finished in February, selling the discs collected will continue for some time.

(3) Total is indicative only as financial year ends and reporting periods vary. The figure also excludes £13.6m raised by the ´óÏó´«Ã½ and other broadcasters for DEC emergency appeals.

The charities connected to the appeals have different financial years and different reporting cycles (some biennial), and not all the appeals took place during the financial year 2007/8. However, they all reported during that period.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Charity Appeals are defined as projects or programmes where the ´óÏó´«Ã½ brand or platforms are used to raise money or other resources from the public for charitable purposes.

Oversight of the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s charity appeals is undertaken for ´óÏó´«Ã½ Management by the independent Appeals Advisory Committee (AAC), which reports to the Executive Board. The ´óÏó´«Ã½ will be recruiting for members of the Appeals Advisory Committee (AAC) early in 2009.

Some of the organisations that have benefited from ´óÏó´«Ã½ Radio 4 Appeals:

Christopher Biggins' appeal on behalf of the WRVS raised £33,500: "The appeal has been a fantastic success for WRVS, it raised much more than we ever anticipated through different media and has given us an opportunity to raise our profile." (Michael Dent, Relationship Development Manager, WRVS)

"The appeal was a great opportunity for us. We were surprised and encouraged by the number of people who responded and also the secondary effects such as people contacting us for information, going to the website or simply offering help." (Credit Action's Radio 4 Appeal raised £8,400)

The deadline for charities applying for the next round of Radio 4 and Lifeline Appeals is 12 January 2009.

´óÏó´«Ã½ Press Office