The £275,000 proceeds from Norwood's tenth distressed investing dinner took the total raised since the event's inception beyond the £2 million mark.

"We started with a small event and each year it's grown," said dinner committee member Neville Kahn. "It's a fantastic achievement and I'm delighted that the industry has raised so much for such a worthwhile cause."

This year's event was held at the Savoy and attended by more than 250 supporters. Mock The Week and QI regular Romesh Ranganathan provided the comedy, and the appeal was delivered by Wayne Chodosh, whose autistic son, Jake, has been supported by Norwood.

He later explained that his son was diagnosed with autism at the age of four. "We were told he was going to have no language and very limited understanding for the rest of his life. At the age of 21, Jake is living independently, and that is thanks to Norwood. Norwood are responsible and for that we will be forever grateful."