The Evening Standard newspaper’s ‘Dispossessed’ campaign has raised over £1m for people in need in the capital.

The campaign, launched on 20 July, has raised £1.18m from readers (more than £2m with gift aid) which will be matched by the government to total more than £3m raised overall. The fund has also been buoyed by being named the charity partner of the London rugby club Saracens.

Prime Minister David Cameron has added his personal backing to the campaign, characterising today’s fundraising total update as “an impressive milestone”.

The Dispossessed fund will be administered by the Community Foundation Network, and local small charities can apply via the Standard’s website for grants of between £250 and £5,000.