They may be about to lose their jobs or see their bonuses slashed, but bankers in the City of London still managed to open their wallets at the annual October Club's charity dinner last week, which raised more than £348,000 (€553,320) for the Place 2 Be children's charity.

David McDonough, October's chairman, was thrilled at the result, since he did not expect the takings to reach that level this year.