Charities 'humbled' as pledges top £32m

Donations by Britons to the victims of the Asian catastrophe leapt above £32 million today in what charities called an "unprecedented" response.

The main appeal by the Disaster Emergencies Committee reached £26 million last night, with the figure set to grow further today. An additional £3 million has been given to the British Red Cross, £2.5 million to Oxfam and £500,000 to smaller charities.

The 3,000 telephone lines to the DEC appeal centre were jammed at times, with up to £15,000 a minute being collected from donors. Celebrities helped answer the calls, including actress Michelle Collins and Strictly Come Dancing winner Natasha Kaplinsky. DEC spokeswoman Jane Moyo said: "We're completely humbled by the response. It's been unprecedented. Many victims come from the UK and Europe so it has made the world a very small place."

The total raised includes a £1 million gift from Vodafone's charitable trust, £1 million from the Premier League and ?500,000 from BT. Religious leaders will join the aid effort today. An appeal for donations will be read out in 400 mosques, while churches will hold collections this Sunday.

The Bishop of Bath and Wells, the Rt Rev Peter Price, told congregations that their help would be needed for many years.

Worldwide, more than £500 million has been raised, including ?280 million from governments and £130 million from the World Bank. The British Government lifted its aid total from £15 million to £50 million, the largest sum given by any single country. In the United States, Congress is considering an aid package to add to the £18 million the federal government has already contributed.

Among gifts included in the £32 million British total, England's cricketers have pledged £15,000, Barclays £250,000 and John Lewis Partnership £50,000. Tesco, the Corporation of London and the Freemasons' Grand Charity have each given ?£100,000.

Worldwide, Viagra makers Pfizer have given £5.2 million while online bookshop Amazon.com has collected £2.5 million from its customers, mostly in the United States.

Appeals to the public have produced big responses around the world, with the Dutch public contributing £6.6 million and Finns handing over £2.1 million.