Fifteen residents of the Emunah children's home in Afula were hosted by north-west London families during a UK visit which included outings to the Natural History Museum and a winter wonderland.

Emunah director Deborah Nathan said that many of the 11-to-16-year-olds had not travelled beyond Israel before. "We welcomed them into our homes and into our hearts."

Members of the organising group had begun their involvement with the charity by taking part in its mother and daughter tour. "Having met the children in Israel we felt that we wanted to do more," explained committee member Sharon Dewinter.

A day trip to Southend included a visit to the Sea Life centre, funded by Westcliff Emunah. At Immanuel College in Bushey, they met students who had visited the Afula home on their school trip. Each member of the group received a Chanucah present courtesy of the Gift charity.