Jack Dee has helped to raise £45,000 to keep up the search for Madeleine McCann

COMEDIAN Jack Dee has helped to raise £45,000 to keep up the search for Madeleine McCann.

He played auctioneer at an event to mark the 1,000 days since she disappeared in May 2007.

Among the prizes were flights donated by Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson and signed Harry Potter books.

Maddie’s parents Kate and Gerry welcomed 180 celebrities and supporters to the £150-a-head gala dinner in Kensington, west London, last week.

The £90,000 raised will be split between the Maddie Fund and two other missing people’s charities.

The McCanns’ spokesman Clarence Mitchell said yesterday: “It was a fantastic evening and showed the depth of support that Kate and Gerry have.