Actress Tracy-Ann Oberman showed her support for Israel when she made the appeal at Emunah's gala dinner at Guildhall on Tuesday night.

Over £230,000 was raised on the evening at which the charity launched a campaign to expand accommodation and therapeutic services for "some of Israel's most disturbed children" at Neve Landy Children's Village.

"This summer as a British Jew who supports Israel I felt very alone - and I can't bear for these children to feel alone," Ms Oberman told the 460 diners. "Every child that Emunah cares for has their own story - neglect, abuse, poverty, drug addiction - or the death or illness of a family member. We have a responsibility to help them face the future."

Michelle Hirschfield, dinner co-chair with Esther Lee, spoke of her distress at the recent terror attack in Jerusalem in which her cousin Avraham Goldberg was murdered. She said the £750,000 needed for the charity's expansion plans were in addition to the £500,000 annual maintenance bill paid by British Emunah to support 37 of the charity's projects.

Guest speaker Joshua Hantman, senior advisor to Israel's ambassador to US Ron Dermer, said Emunah's work with vulnerable children "strengthened an entire nation".

British Emunah chairman Hilary Pearlman and Mike Freer MP also spoke and entertainment was provided by Emunah Young Musician of the Year pianist Elizabeth Kandelaki and Young Singer, Emma Sherrard.

Ms Hirschfield later said the dinner, was "an incredible evening and a great social success".

Emunah has a network of children's homes, day care and counselling centres throughout Israel.