A graduate of Youth Aliyah's Mechina project in northern Israel was among the 450 guests at the Youth Aliyah Child Rescue gala dinner in central London on Tuesday.

Ethiopian-born Solomon Lawee went on to become a high ranking IDF officer, in charge of 120 soldiers. Currently completing his internship for a prosecutor's post, he informally shared his story with the charity's supporters.

The dinner, which raised more than £400,000, featured an in-depth discussion between Sir Eric Pickles and Israel's deputy ambassador Eitan Na'eh, led by broadcaster Nick Ferrari. It also marked the start of Daliah Mehdi's tenure as executive director. She will continue a family tradition as her father Sion is its honorary director in Israel and a former executive director.

Ms Mehdi has held senior positions in American health-care charities.