A Holocaust survivor has told northern World Jewish Relief supporters how the charity’s wartime work transformed his life and those of many others.

Addressing 150-plus WJR supporters at a dinner at South Manchester Synagogue, Jack Aizenberg, 86, recalled being one of 300 young refugees brought to the UK on an RAF plane in 1945 by the charity, then known as the Central British Fund. “The two saviours of my life are my wife and coming to England with the help of WJR,” said Mr Aizenberg, one of the stars of ITV’s Strictly Kosher documentary series.

“My lesson from it all, the main positive I’ve learned, is that if somebody has a good heart, no matter what their background or nationality, then you have a friend for life.”

WJR president Henry Grunwald highlighted its work in Ukraine, in particular a welfare programme providing food and shelter for the elderly.

“We might grumble when the temperature here reaches two degrees below zero,” he said. “But it is nothing compared to the extremes of winter faced by those we assist who often have no heating, running water or sanitation.”

More than £70,000 was raised from the dinner.