Media mogul Richard Desmond visited an arts and educational centre in Tottenham on Tuesday to see how £19,000 in funding from Mr Desmond’s Health Lottery was helping to support young strictly Orthodox men with learning difficulties.

The grant, awarded through the People’s Health Trust, enables Ability North users to enjoy outings, arts and crafts and other educational activities. The mother of one of the beneficiaries, Alte Schlesinger, said: “They love it here. It is giving them a chance to engage with others like them.”

Mr Desmond promised to return to the centre, saying; “It is great what they do.

“We spend £19,000 and it transforms lives. This is what it [the Health Lottery] is about.”
Another mother, Rachel Josebashvili, said that because her son was over 18, she had lost state support for respite care.

The Health Lottery funding “gives me hope that people actually care about us and want to help”.