Three cheers for London - Evening Standard

More than 100,000 people, from the homeless to the jobless, have been helped by the Dispossessed Fund, which has raised an incredible £9.3 million for grassroots groups tackling poverty. Orphan Nabil Ahmed, pictured left, went to 10 Downing Street to collect £1 million for it.

Over 3,000 primary school children will benefit from reading volunteers as a result of our £1?million literacy campaign, Get London Reading. The scheme has been held up by Ofsted and the European Union as a new education model to be rolled out across Britain and the Continent. More than 550 life-changing apprenticeships have also been created for the young and jobless through our recently-launched Ladder for London campaign.

In each instance, the success of the campaign has relied first and foremost on the amazing generosity of our readers, who have opened their hearts and wallets, donating time and money, and who have created new apprenticeship positions within their companies.

Mayor Boris Johnson hailed a sensational year for London and the Standard. He said: "London 2012 delivered something this city never quite believed it possessed — a confidence, a self belief and a spirit which says anything is possible. Take the Standard's three campaigns of 2012 — the indomitable spirit of Londoners raised millions for London's dispossessed, helped thousands of our kids improve their reading and put hundreds of the capital's young people on the apprenticeship ladder to a job and prosperity. I'm determined to champion change across London, I'm proud the Standard is choosing to do the same."

David Cameron paid special tribute to the Dispossessed campaign, saying: "Congratulations to the Standard on the runaway success of the Dispossessed campaign. I fully support the campaign's goal to improve the lives of the poorest families in London."

Prince Andrew, patron of Ladder for London, said the Standard had shown "remarkable leadership" and "leads the agenda for change".

"For nearly 600 young people, Ladder for London has opened up a life-changing opportunity. I applaud the work of the Standard, (its campaign partner) City Gateway and partner employers in creating so many chances for young apprentices to start fulfilling careers. I urge other companies in London to see if they can extend the same transformative opportunity."

Education Secretary Michael Gove made special mention of our literacy campaign. "Without learning to read, a child cannot read to learn. Get London Reading has done a fantastic job of highlighting the problem. I pay tribute to the selfless dedication of every volunteer. Their time and energy will help thousands unlock the literacy code, giving them the key to a lifetime of reading."

Evening Standard editor Sarah Sands said the paper would continue to lead the way as "Britain's campaigning newspaper for social change" and said she had just three words to sum up her feelings: "Thank you, London!"

Thank you, generous readers, for all you have given in 2012