Kisharon raises £972,000 at dinner

Learning disability charity Kisharon has raised £972,000 at a fundraising dinner, held this year at London’s Hilton Park Lane.

The money raised will go towards the £2.3m the charity needs to fund its day to day services for a year.

Ambassador of Israel Mark Regev, Lord Feldman and Board of Deputies president Marie van der Zyl, were among the dignitaries to attend the fundraiser, along with some 600 guests.

Service users Eli Cohen and Chaim Dovid Rotenberg attended, making hamotzi for guests, as well as Tali Rose who introduced Chief Executive Richard Franklin and the appeal film.

Kisharon School pupil Tali Rose, 12, who spoke at the event, told guests: “This is all about the things that matter to everyone at Kisharon. I want them to matter to you too.”

Meanwhile Franklin, who was appointed in March, announced during his address the development of six additional supported living units in Golders Green.

“I see a world which we will change, where every person in this room will not think twice about employing a person with a learning disability,” Franklin added.

Ambassador Regev praised Kisharon’s work caring “for our most vulnerable, those who have grown up with disabilities and challenges”, urging staff and volunteers to “pat themselves on the back”.

Kisharon Chairman Philip Goldberg thanked guests for attending and their “amazing generosity which allows us to continue providing for the special people we all care for”.