The £1 million-plus raised from a central London dinner for the Tikva children's home in Odessa will enable 100 children to start new lives in Israel.

Tikva CEO Refael Kruskal told 230 supporters at the Millennium Mayfair that many of the children had been traumatised by events in the besieged Ukrainian city. In recent days, explosions had been heard nearby and there were contingency plans for emergency evacuation.

"Odessa today is a dangerous place," Mr Kruskal said. "Tikva's role is to find the Jewish children and make their lives safe. Safe from the war that rages around us and safe from the perils that exist on the streets of the former Soviet Union."

Impressionist and comedian Alistair McGowan provided the entertainment and TV personality and model Caprice Bourret gave the toast to Israel. Arabella Spiro was the dinner chair.