Former Arsenal and England footballer Paul Merson helped UJIA net £95,000 from its Sports Night for a bridge-building soccer scheme in Israel.

Now a Sky Sports pundit, Merson spoke both about his career and his off-field struggles in conversation with broadcaster Ian Payne. “I never look back and regret anything,” he said.

He also spent parts of the evening at the tables of winners of the “Merson raffle”.

Payne additionally hosted a five-round interactive quiz for the 160 guests at the Hive Stadium in Barnet.

The event’s proceeds will benefit the Equalizer project, which combines football training with academic support for disadvantaged children, who learn the values of tolerance and mutual respect. It is helping hundreds of young Jews, Arabs, Druze and Christians.

In the appeal film, Liran Gerassi, executive director of the Equalizer, said: “We are very happy to provide opportunities for kids from different backgrounds. Without UJIA we couldn’t have the programme.”