Guardian and Observer readers have raised more than £500,000 in less than a week for charities supporting child refugees.

The 2016 appeal is raising money for three charities working with young refugees and migrants based mainly in continental Europe and the UK: Help Refugees, Safe Passage and the Children’s Society.

The charities praised the generosity of readers and said the contributions would make a huge difference to the lives of young people driven from their homes by war and persecution in Syria and elsewhere.

Although the charities predominantly provide aid, care and advocacy in Europe, Help Refugees has contributed funds to Syria-based aid projects, including £20,000 towards the cost of a mobile children’s hospital to be based near Aleppo, and a grant to buy two ambulances for the White Helmets aid group.

Matthew Reed, the chief executive of the Children’s Society, said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the wonderful generosity of Guardian and Observer readers. The shocking stories and pictures that we’re seeing from Syria right now are daily reminders of the horrific experiences that many of the children and young people seeking safety in the UK have gone through.



“Now, more than ever, we need your support to help us make sure that they get the help, protection and warm welcome they desperately need once they get here, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who has donated so far.”

Neil Jameson, the executive director of Citizens UK, the parent charity of Safe Passage, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the Guardian and Observer readers’ response to this year’s appeal. The atrocities we have seen in Aleppo this week serve as a stark reminder of why people are fleeing; that they should have to risk their lives trying to reach sanctuary is an unnecessary cruelty.



“Readers’ generous donations will help us continue to fight for safe routes and a warm reception for refugees in the UK.”

Josie Naughton, a co-founder of Help Refugees, said: “We are delighted to hear this news and could not be more grateful to everyone who has donated. Thank you for being part of the movement, choosing love over hate. We would also like to thank the Guardian for its incredible support and for this opportunity. Together we will improve the lives of some of the most vulnerable people affected by the refugee crisis this winter.”



It is the second successive year that the Guardian and Observer have chosen refugee charities for their annual appeal. Launching this year’s campaign, the Guardian and Observer editor-in-chief, Katharine Viner, described the plight of refugees as “the great humanitarian crisis of our times”.

On Saturday, Guardian and Observer journalists will hold the annual charity telethon to boost funds for the appeal. Viner, Polly Toynbee, Owen Jones, Marina Hyde, Gary Younge and John Mulholland, the Observer editor, will be among those on hand to take telephone donations from readers.

The Guardian and Observer 2016 charity appeal runs until the new year.

• Support child refugees by donating here