Child cancer patients enjoy a dream holiday in London

Eli Seliger, chair of its UK support group, said: "When I started it was a million dollar budget [in Israel]. Today we're at three and a half million."

As well as the overseas trips, Zichron Menachem operates a day centre, a hospital programme and a platelet bank providing urgently needed replacement blood cells. It offers services to children regardless of their race or religion.

Israeli-Arab children were among the tour party. Two Palestinian-Arab children were unable to travel because their papers were not processed in time by the British embassy.

"Zichron Menachem is there to support the children and their families," Mr Seliger said.

"It's about making the child feel that they're able to cope with what they've got and making things fun for them".

Shiraz, a 16-year-old from Hod HaSharon, said the charity's help "gives you a moment to take a break from all the surgery, from the hospitals, and relax. They give you a life before you go back to the surgery."

At the dinner, presentations were made to young girls who donated their hair for wigs for children undergoing chemotherapy.

"The idea of little girls helping other little girls is an amazing concept," said Vanessa Feltz, who was among the guests. Ms Feltz also praised "the incredible selflessness" of the people involved in the charity.