The pennies, pounds and thousands have been steadily rolling in to the coffers of Wine Relief, the wine fundraising initiative that goes towards Comic Relief, the UK-based charity that does so much for the disadvantaged in Africa and the UK.
This afternoon the total over four campaigns – 1999, 2001, 2003 and 2005 – passed the £2 million mark (approximately $4 million) which was originally set as the target when launching this year's effort.
This is a wonderful result and due to great generosity and extremely hard work on the part of wine lovers, wine retailers, wine importers and wine producers all over the world – many of them regular visitors to this site. The timing, as Africa's problems dominate the headlines, could not be better – especially as Comic Relief, who decide how the money is spent, are so rigorous in monitoring exactly what happens to every penny.
And I'm delighted to report that all of those involved say they are all set to do the same and more in 2007. This is all truly great news.