Brandon’s United Way may have fallen short of its million-dollar target, but a record amount of money was raised and convinced 2009 campaign chair Barry Cullen that the aforementioned million is indeed attainable.

The announcement that a record $631,087 raised was made last Thursday at a noon luncheon at the Victoria Inn.

“As I have said several times during this campaign, communities like ours do not happen by accident. Today, I am proud to say that achievements like this don’t happen by accident either,” said Cullen. “I am happy to report that not only have we surpassed everyone’s expectations, we have a better sense now that our community could support a million dollar campaign. “

This year’s record amount represented a 12.2 per cent increase ($67,368) over last year.