THE generosity of our readers never fails to amaze us.

In the last year the public in Gwent has raised nearly £5million for charity.

In events from abseiling to head-shaving, you have all excelled in order to do your bit for charity.

And it appears people are not hesitant to put their hands in their pockets despite us going through the worst recession in recent history.

More incredibly, the figure is about £600,000 up on the previous year. It means charities like Kidney Wales, can carry on with good work.

It received £19,349 from the people of Gwent this year.

One of the biggest benefactors of your money was St David’s Foundation Hospice Care which received £3.8 million.

St David’s fundraisers included primary school pupil and leukaemia survivor Joel Rudakov-Davies, who raised £1,000 for the charity by completing a five-mile sponsored walk.

And Newport woman Jill Copeland travelled all the way to Disney World in Florida to complete Goofy’s Race and a Half Challenge - a half marathon followed by a full 26.2 marathon the following day - and raised £1,600.

The Argus-supported Sparkle appeal got £100,000.

Sparkle's £10 million centre is now in the final stages of being built in High Cross. When it opens this autumn, it will cater for more than 1,200 disabled children and their families in Gwent.

Charities would find it hard to survive without fundraisers and the people who donate.

We salute each and every one of you today.