HELLO! READERS HELP SET A CRACKER OF A CHARITY RECORD BIG GIVE SOME OF BRITAIN'S MOST FAMOUS FACES BRING VITAL SEASONAL CHEER TO THOSE IN GREATEST NEED

Generous HELLO! readers have raise a record-breaking £33m in just one week! - after joining charities and celebrities to back a Christmas campaign.

- TRACY SCHAVERIEN

Big Give, the UK's leading matchfunding organisation, founded by philanthropist Sir AIec Reed, last week announced its Christmas Challenge had smashed its £30m target, bringing much-needed funds to more than 1,000 charities. AImost half the money raised will go to those who need it most - small concerns with an annual income of less than £1m.

HELLO! helped spread the word about the appeal, which ran from 28 November until 5 December: donations made through the Big Give platform were matched pound for pound, doubling the amount raised with donations from companies and philanthropists.