Bournemouth Jews have raised an initial £4,000-plus for an organisation assisting Israelis who have fled homes in range of Hamas rocket fire.

A series of emergency fundraisers were prompted by an email to Bournemouth resident Jane Victor from a cousin in Bet Shemesh, where the Leman Achai charity is based.

Bet Shemesh has escaped the rocket attacks and provides schooling and general respite for over 1,000 children. Leman Achai is committed to its relief programme for an indefinite period and receives no governmental assistance.

Working with the Bournemouth Jewish Representative Council, Mrs Victor hosted a support meeting and others were held at the homes of Mandy and Larry Kaye and Anne and Michael Filer. Through a Skype link, Leman Achai chairman David Morris thanked the Bournemouth community.