Absolute Return for Kids (Ark) raised £17.2m at its annual fundraising gala dinner last night.

The charity was also celebrating winning the international aid and development category at the Charity Awards yesterday evening.

The annual Ark fundraising dinner, which is in its tenth year, raises funds to support children’s programmes in Africa, Romania, UK and India. It was recognised by the Charity Awards 2011 for its work in Bulgaria to reform the country’s childcare system.

New £5m venture between ARK and Princes’ Foundation

Ark’s fundraising dinner last night was attended by the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, who on the evening, announced a new £5m venture between Ark and the Princes’ Foundation to support young people in the UK and Africa.

Prince William said: “I am so pleased that the Foundation and Ark are working together on this project to help young people who really need it. Programmes from this partnership will raise aspirations, broaden horizons and encourage young people to achieve what may have seemed to them unachievable.”

Gala dinner sees £3m rise

Ark's annual dinner this year has seen a £3m increase on last year's event which raised £14.1m.

In 2009, the event raised £15.6m, which was significantly down on the 2008 event and 2007 totals of £25.5m and £26m respectively.