The Telegraph has raised more than £124,000 for its Christmas Charity Appeal through an annual reader phone-in on Sunday.

The paper’s editors, columnists, cartoonists and journalists took 881 calls from readers, surpassing last year’s figure of £101,000.

Sunday Telegraph editor Allister Heath joined Cartoonist Matt and columnists Allison Pearson (pictured above), Richard Madeley and Camilla Tominey in answering calls which took donations for charities helping those suffering from the knock-on effects of Covid-19.

The four charities benefitting from donations are Refuge, Carers UK, Macmillan Cancer Support and Cruse Bereavement Care.

The paper said they “smashed” last year’s figure despite the number of call handlers being cut due to social distancing rules.

Earlier this year, readers gave more than a million pounds for its Coronavirus Charity Appeal to Turn2Us, a nationwide poverty charity providing emergency financial aid to those hit by the crisis.

Columnist Allison Pearson said in the Telegraph today: “It wasn’t easy to make the Christmas appeal work this year, but there was huge enthusiasm both among staff and Telegraph readers who responded with such wonderful generosity. 

“The virus has caused drastic changes, but the Christmas spirit of loving and giving is alive and well,” she added.

The Telegraph has run charity appeals at Christmas for more than a century, with one of the first campaigns taking place during the First World War to help supply troops with Christmas puddings.

Donations to the 2020 Telegraph Christmas Charity Appeal can still be made by visiting telegraph.co.uk/appeal or calling 0151 284 1927 before the end of January.

Pictures: Jeff Gilbert for The Telegraph.