Lord Levy hails ‘unbelievable’ response to covid-19 appeal for care homes

Labour peer Lord Michael Levy has praised the Jewish community’s “unbelievable” fundraising efforts to support care homes during the coronavirus pandemic.

“In a few days we brought in £4 million, the reaction has been unbelievable,” the Jewish Care life president said on Tuesday in an apparent reference to the coronavirus appeal launched earlier this year by the care home provider with Nightingale Hammerson and The Fed in Manchester.

“I want to applaud our community. I want to give my respect and admiration to our Jewish community because they have been phenomenal. What they have done and how they have stood by those in need during this terrible period,” he said. “We are blessed with a wonderful community.”

Lord Levy, who is President of JLGB, was the latest high-profile public figure to appear on JLGB Virtual, a series of online events hosted by the Jewish youth organisation and which have drawn over 650,000 viewers since March.

Previous guests have included TV judge Robert Rinder, the actress Tracy-Ann Oberman and the presenter Rachel Riley.

Interviewed by JLGB volunteer Cidney Miller, 17, Lord Levy described his involvement with Jewish Care as “probably one of the proudest things in my life.”

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“Jewish Care will make sure we care for the aging population in our community. We are adapting to the ageing and changing needs of our community and our trustees and leadership are adapting with the times. That is the key to a successful organisation,” he said.

Speaking after the event, Miller said it had been an “absolute honour” to interview Lord Levy and said the experience had demonstrated “what an incredible man he is and the story of the life he’s led has taught me a lot.”

“I am so grateful to JLGB and Lord Levy for the all opportunities that JLGB has given me, most recently through hosting JLGB Virtual. I am proud that together we have been able to keep young people entertained in lockdown,” she added.