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Although the online encyclopaedia relies on user-generated content and edits, it still requires $6m in funding to maintain the site and pay its 23 staff.

The site had raised only $3.8m of the money shortly before Christmas, prompting Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales to issue a personal plea for more donations.

"Like a national park or a school, we don't believe advertising should have a place

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in Wikipedia," Wales wrote.

"We want to keep it free and strong, but we need the support of thousands of people like you.

"I invite you to join us: Your donation will help keep Wikipedia free for the whole world."

Wales's plea appears to have done the trick, with the site now reporting that it's passed the $6m mark.

The site has received heavyweight backing from the US Stanton Foundation, which donated in excess of $1m last year. The British Arcadia fund donated $177,376 (£100,000) back in September.

A foundation bearing the name of Lotus founder Mitch Kapoor is listed among the Wikimedia benefactors. Kapoor is on the advisory board of the Wikimedia Foundation and donated $10,000 last year.