Aid agency World Jewish Relief’s effort for Syrian refugees has raised the second highest appeal total in the charity’s history.

The appeal, launched last month, has so far raised more than £626,760.

This brings the total behind only the charity’s 2004 South East Asia Tsunami appeal, which raised more than £1 million.

The appeal has also attracted the highest-ever average sum given by individual donors. The average individual donation is £63, according to WJR campaigns and communications manager Richard Verber.

He said the figure exceeded the average individual donation to its previous four international aid appeals.

Paul Anticoni, WJR chief executive, celebrated what the appeal had achieved.

He said: “This is undoubtedly one of the most successful appeals the Jewish community has ever supported.

“Thanks to the extraordinary response from the British Jewish community, thousands of people fleeing war and persecution in Syria will be receiving vital medical, shelter, food and education supplies.”