Ilona gets her necklace — thanks to the JC

Touched by the story, Abi Martinsen, of Wimborne, Dorset, decided to send her own necklace to Ilona.

“I was thinking about how lucky I was to have my Star of David and for it to be so easy to get it,” explained Abi, 14, whose family are Bournemouth Reform members.

“I said I would send it to Ilona and boxed it up.”

WJR chief executive Paul Anticoni handed over the necklace to Ilona during a recent visit to the community centre.

In a letter of thanks to Abi and her family, Ilona wrote: “I like the necklace very much. I will wear it every day. I told my friends about you and they agree you are very good and kind people. I am very happy that Paul came to Krivoy Rog.”

Mr Anticoni said: “It was really sweet. Ilona is a lovely girl and she was so moved by the whole thing.

“She thought it was incredible that a small comment led to someone being so generous. She was very emotional. A small gesture of support means a lot.”

Ilona and Abi now intend to become pen pals.