This week’s FT Photography Auction, in aid of seasonal appeal partner Sightsavers, raised £48,800.

The event, at Getty Images Gallery in London on Wednesday 30th November, saw 20 stunning photographs auctioned by Sotheby’s auctioneer Adrian Biddell. Photos included works donated by celebrated photographers such as Martin Parr, Charlie Bibby, Tom Hunter, Matt Cardy, Eamonn McCabe and Jane Bown, plus a one-off print of all 2011 F1 World Championship drivers, signed by all the drivers and taken by top sports photographer Andrew Hone. Donations from bidders were matched by funding from Standard Chartered Bank and the UK Government, tripling the total. View photos from the event here.

The proceeds go to Sightsavers, the international development charity selected as this year’s FT seasonal appeal partner. Sightsavers aims to change the lives of some of the 39 million people in the world who are blind, focusing on developing countries including Bangladesh, Nigeria and Pakistan. The organisation has a vision of a world where no one is blind from avoidable causes and where visually impaired people participate equally in society.

The FT and Sightsavers have today launched a lunch auction to raise funds for the appeal, inviting people to bid to win lunch with an FT journalist at the world’s leading restaurants. Place your bid at www.ebay.co.uk/ftappeal

You can read full coverage of this year’s seasonal appeal at www.ft.com/appeal