Jewish Women’s Aid 36-hour fundraising campaign has brought in over half a million pounds to help provide for Jewish women and children affected by domestic and sexual violence.

With the support of 129 champions and 2,415 donors, the charity organisation managed to raise over £500,000 during the marathon campaign. The money will go toward JWA’s specialised support service for victims of gender-based abuse, a service for which demand has increased by 24 per cent in the last year.

“It’s been an amazing few days,” said JWA chair of trustees, Caroline Ratner. “I am so proud that our ‘Protect All Jewish Women from Abuse’ campaign has been such a success.

"We are so thankful to our supporters for rallying around the vulnerable women in our community and for helping us ensure that we can continue our vital work.”

At the Jewish Women's Aid dinner (Photo: Amanda Ward Photography)

 JWA also held an event for major donors at St. John’s Wood Synagogue.

Hosted by JWA ambassador Rachel Riley MBE, the evening featured a poignant interview of Anthony Metzer KC by Times Radio host Jane Garvey, which received a standing ovation.

“Had JWA been around when I was growing up, my early life would have been very different,” said Metzer. “The work they do is empowering and life-saving. They are also all such wonderful people. It is a tremendous honour and privilege to have had the opportunity to share my story to help the awareness-raising and fundraising efforts of the organisation.”

Anthony Metzer KC being interviewed by Times Radio host Jane Garvey at the JWA dinner (Photo: Amanda Ward Photography)

Guests also heard from two recent graduates of the JWA School Ambassadors programme about the importance and impact of learning about healthy relationships and consent at school.

The 200-strong audience then took part in an interactive myth-busting session to dispel common misconceptions about domestic abuse and sexual violence within the Jewish community.

Rachel Riley hosting the Jewish Women's Aid dinner (Photo: Amanda Ward Photography)

“I am very proud to say that I am an ambassador for JWA in its 30th year,” said Riley. “My motivation for supporting JWA runs very deep for me. I know how bad the problems are in fighting domestic abuse and that they are not well understood or given the spotlight they deserve. JWA are literal life-savers.”