The Dispossessed Fund, a campaign run by the London Evening Standard and administered by CFN, has passed the £6 million mark, beating the original fundraising mark sixfold.

All over the country affluent pensioners are donating their Winter Fuel Payments to fund those less well-off than themselves. Led by donors in Somerset, Leicestershire, Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire and Dorset, older people who automatically receive the payment, but feel they do not need the money, are donating it to support community groups and vulnerable people for whom the WFP is not nearly enough.

Alec Reed CBE has been awarded the overall Beacon Prize 2010 for his longstanding work in supporting hundreds of charities, including his latest project, theBigGive.org.uk; a website helping donors find charities in their field of interest.

The Beacon Fellowship Charitable Trust announced the results of The Beacon Prize 2010, the country’s foremost philanthropy awards. The nine winners join the ranks of previous Beacon winners such as Sir Bob Geldof, Jamie Oliver and environmentalist, Zac Goldsmith – who have all been recognised for their charitable work.