The Charity Auction team at Channel 103 (clockwise from left): Murray Norton, Peter Mac, Spencer Davies, Giulia Heath, Debbie Holley and Katy Ringsdore with some of the lots sold during yesterday’s record-breaking broadcast Picture: JON GUEGAN (00845061)

ISLANDERS dug deep yesterday to make this year’s Channel 103 Charity Auction the most successful ever.

When the phone lines finally went quiet shortly before 5 pm after hours of bidding, auction co-ordinator Murray Norton announced that £45,598 had been raised – beating last year’s total of £26,107 by almost £20,000.

The cash will now be handed over to the organisers of Joint Charities Christmas Appeal, who are aiming to raise at least £120,000 this year to pay for food and fuel vouchers for more than 1,500 disadvantaged local families.

This year’s record-breaking total comes just weeks after Murray issued a plea for Island businesses to get behind the fundraising effort because lot numbers were down on previous years.

The top lot – a five-star holiday to India worth £10,000 which was donated by Treasury Minister Philip Ozouf – went for £7,320, while the successful bidder for house conveyancing work by lawyers Ogiers paid £4,000. And a table for four at the opening night of Marco Pierre White’s new Waterfront restaurant sold for £2,200.