The Israeli Embassy has donated 70 meals of falafel to the homeless in London in honour of survivor David Leitner.

Mr Leitner, known as “Dugo”, walked for three days with more than 60,000 other Jews as part of the “Death March” from Auschwitz-Birkenau that began on 18 January 1945.

He said that during the walk — ordered by the SS on the news of approaching Soviet troops — his mother had promised him he would make it to Israel, and that was what kept him alive.

He made it to Israel and decided that each year, on 18 January, he would eat a falafel in celebration of his life and his freedom.

He inspired the initiative that saw the embassy partner with Sant’Egidio, a global Christian organisation, to hand out the meals (pictured) in Mayfair and Piccadilly.

Director of Public Diplomacy at the Israeli Embassy, Efrat Perry, said: “Dugo’s tradition symbolises that he will never go hungry again. There is no better way to share this uplifting message than to give meals to those who are in need.”