Sport Relief 2012 has raised a record £62m already, far exceeding the previous event’s total of £44m.

The amount included £2.5m donated to David Walliams’ ill-fated Thames River swim and more than £4m raised by comedian John Bishop who cycled, rowed and ran nearly 300 miles from Paris to London.

A statement on the Comic Relief website this morning said: “To absolutely everyone who went the extra mile for Sport Relief 2012, we can’t thank you enough. Because of your amazing generosity, the current Sport Relief total stands at £62,519,216 ... and counting.

“More than one million people took part in Sainsbury’s Sport Relief Miles, and most amazing of all is that the money you raised will change countless lives forever. On behalf of every single person whose life will be touched by your generosity, thank you.”

The Sport Relief event has been growing exponentially in both popularity and hard cash. In 2010, the celebrity-laden fundraiser amassed £44.2m; in 2008 it raised £28.5m and the 2006 event generated £19m.

This year's fundraiser took place in late March.