The Financial Times' seasonal appeal 2012 raised $4.89m (£3.11m) for the Global Fund for Children, slightly down on last year's total of £3.3m for Sightsavers.

Kristin Lindsey, chief executive of the US-based Global Fund for Children said: “We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the Financial Times’ readers, staff and our corporate match funders.”

FT staff carried out a number of fundraising initiatives over the festive period, including two photography auctions (London and New York) and an auction of lunches with columnists.

The newspaper has also sent some of its correspondents to cover the activities of the charity in west Africa, Haiti, India and Brazil.

Lionel Barber, editor of the FT said: “This is an outstanding achievement. I would like to thank all those who have given so generously.”

Global Fund for Children is an investment fund that partners with grassroots organisations to support vulnerable children. It works with 500 organisations in 78 countries.

Donations from corporate partners came to $2.3m (£1.46m) and included; $1m from Mount Kellett Capital; $500,000 from the Sarah and Ross Perot Jr Foundation; $500,000 from Hillwood; $100,000 from Indus Capital Partners; $100,000 from Earthport; and $100,000 from Crown Family Philanthropies.

Last year the FT raised a total of £3.3m for Sightsavers, including £2.5m from reader donations which were match funded by the Department for International Development. The breakdown for reader donations this year is not yet available.