Unicef raised £3.1m through text and online donations from UK viewers watching the Commonwealth Games’ opening ceremony last night.

The children’s charity was announced as the partner for the Commonwealth Games last year, and the money raised going to its Put Children First appeal.

Short films highlighting Unicef’s work around the Commonwealth, fronted by celebrity supporters, were shown throughout the evening. And once all the athletes had entered the stadium former cyclist Sir Chris Hoy and actor James McAvoy made a live appeal for people to donate.

The bulk of donations last night came via text with 595,000 in the UK people donating from their mobile phone.  

The fundraising initiative originated from the Games' organisers, not the broadcasters, but all were showing the appeal which is expected to have been seen by one billion people around the world.

McAvoy told the crowd: “This has never been done before – this many people all coming together to make a lifesaving difference to millions of children.”