Former Arsenal and England star Paul Merson gave some added kick to the first Maccabi London Brady Recreation Trust fundraising lunch since the organisations joined forces earlier this year.

Now a Sky Sports pundit, Merson took part in a question-and-answer session at the lunch, held at the Royal Society of Chemistry in London.

The trust’s David Kyte told guests: “In 2002, we bought some land on Rowley Lane [Barnet], our ‘field of dreams’. Today those dreams have become a reality and our next project is a multi-purpose sports hall and centre.

“Sport nurtures ambition and promotes a healthy lifestyle. More importantly, it fosters leadership and a sense of community. Sport creates leaders. Jewish sport creates Jewish leaders.”

The lunch raised £160,000 as diners responded to Mr Kyte’s appeal “to invest in the future of Maccabi London Brady and of our community”.