BBC Children in Need has revealed that it raised £49.1m in its 2014 appeal, helping it support over 2,500 different projects.

The total is slightly down, by half a million, on the previous year’s final total, which was £49.6m. The on-the-night total for the November televised appeal had broken its previous records at £32.6m.

Sir Terry Wogan, life president of BBC Children in Need, said: “It’s been another fantastic year, with another fantastic total. On behalf of everyone at the charity and the projects we support, I’d like to say a heartfelt thank you. Your generosity makes it all possible.”

David Ramsden, chief executive for BBC Children in Need, said: “Once again the Great British public have done themselves proud. This is a tremendous result and will allow us to continue our vital work to help benefit disadvantaged young lives. Last year alone we helped change the lives of some 480,000 children and young people, and couldn’t have done so without your support.”