The Joely Bear Appeal - set up to encourage people to donate life-saving blood and stem cells - highlighted new activities at its 20th anniversary dinner.

Appeal co-founder Leigh Renak told more than 170 guests at Elstree Film Studios that its next fundraising project would be for a special area for young cancer patients at Barnet Hospital. "We want to create a less sterile environment where children can feel comfortable in home-style units," he explained. "A home from home."

Mr Renak also encouraged guests to ask their communities to sign up to the 5775 appeal, geared to adding 5,775 Jewish donors to the blood register during the current Jewish year.

Joely Bear was launched in memory of Mr Renak's son, Joel, who died from a rare liver cancer at the age of four.

Addressing the dinner, NHS Blood and Transplant chairman John Pattullo said: "Joel Renak's legacy is truly remarkable, inspiring thousands of people from within the community to donate blood and stem cells, saving patient lives.

"On behalf of NHS Blood and Transplant, I am immensely grateful to ev-eryone involved."

Rabbi Alan Plancey was presented with an award recognising his long-time support of the appeal.

"I specifically avoided making it a fundraising evening," Mr Renak said afterwards. "The idea was to say thank you to the people who had given up time and effort to the appeal."

Over the 20 years, some 10,000 units of blood have been donated at 60 sessions - and 1,000 people have committed to donating stem cells by joining the British Bone Marrow Registry. Joely Bear has also raised £200,000-plus for various hospitals.

Its next blood donation session will be at Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue on February 15.