This year's Argus Appeal has raised a record-breaking £80,000 for needy people across Sussex.

The figure beats last year's total by £10,000 and the previous year by £46,000.

Delighted organisers say every penny will go to good causes across Sussex.

Elsa Gillio, co-ordinator and trustee of the appeal, is proud of the year's success stories.

She said: "It gets harder and harder to raise money each year and we've had an unprecedented number of applications for help this Christmas.

"But it's wonderful we've raised so much. It's tough because there are so many charities and people are questioning where they put their money and rightly so.

"I think we do well because we are able to guarantee if people give a pound, a pound goes out, and through the newspaper we can show people where it ends up."

In 2001, The Argus Appeal's 44th year, things got off to a spectacular start with a glittering launch party at the Metropole Hotel, Brighton, in September.

A host of celebrities, including Michelle Collins, James Herbert and Christopher Biggins, helped raise £38,000 in one night.

It proved the springboard for dozens of events, concerts, auctions and bingo nights.

Another huge chunk of money was raised by excited children and their parents desperate to see Santa in his grotto at The Argus Appeal Gingerbread House in The Lanes, Brighton.

A total of £25,000, including £10,000 donated by sponsors Legal and General, was gathered at the fairytale sweet-covered dwelling in the run up to Christmas.

One youngster who has been granted his Christmas wish thanks to the appeal is Adam Barnard, 15, from Portslade.

Adam has a rare condition called cornoliadelange, a severe emotional disability which leaves him virtually unable to communicate and with a host of emotional difficulties.

One of the activities which makes his face light up is riding a hired bike with his eight-year-old sister, Lydia, in Preston Park.

Thanks to £370 from the appeal, Adam's parents, Annette and Martin, have been able to order a tricycle to be made for him.

Mrs Barnard said: "The biggest benefit is that Adam's sister and him will be able to ride together.

"Without the appeal's help, we wouldn't have been able to contemplate spending so much on a bike."

The support and generosity of Sussex individuals have helped push the total up further than ever before.

Gala Bingo, which has adopted the appeal as one of its charities for a second year, is on target to donate £6,000 this year.

Its Hove branch raised £600 in a night last weekend when Simon Bradshaw, editor of The Argus, turned bingo caller for the night.

Howard Scott, chairman of the appeal's trustees and managing director of Newsquest (Sussex), said: "2001 has been a fabulous year for The Argus Appeal.

"The marvellous generosity of local people and the continued support of Legal and General have all contributed to a record-breaking year."