Emunah retail therapy - young supporter Jack Nahum

Leon Symons

Women of all ages and a toddler in a buggy were among the 25 walkers who helped British Emunah to raise £3,000 towards a new dormitory for teenage boys at the charity’s children’s home in Afulah. Taking part in the Emunah Retail Therapy Walk at Westfield London shopping centre, participants chose either the 5-km or 10-km walk, having raised money for sponsorship.  Those enjoying the Emunah walk included Jack Nahum, aged one, whose mum Laura works as a fundraiser for the charity.
The Manchester team included Belinda Kreike from Prestwich, her daughter Dalia, 12, and her mother Madaline Rhodes, from London.  “I’ve been living in Manchester for 20 years and belong to Zehava Emunah, and I regularly help to sell raffle tickets. I’ve always supported Israel, and Dalia twinned her Bat Mitzvah with a girl from the Afulah home.” “We joined in the Emunah walk as we were down in London for half-term and thought it was a good idea.  It’s nice to support charity and it was something different, something we could do together. We all enjoyed it – we attempted the 5-km route and we just got around, we were so busy looking in the shops!”
Dalia, who attends King David Yavneh Girls, said the Emunah retail therapy walk was “Really fun.  I twinned my Bat Mitzvah with the home because I was having a big celebration and I wanted to help another girl to enjoy her celebration too.  My mum has been to the home and I hope to go and visit soon – I think it is important!”
Despite a pair of “dodgy knees,” British Emunah director Deborah Nathan completed the 5km walk while raising over £500 in sponsorship. “I was walking for our Afulah boys as their accommodation desperately needs a complete refurbishment.  Emunah Israel has secured match funding up to the value of £100,000 for every pound that UK supporters can raise for the project, but the offer is time limited – and we will probably need to raise another £100,000 on top of that.”
Ms Nathan added: “The retail therapy walk was a fun and innovative way to raise money, and the participants really enjoyed themselves – and said they can’t wait for the next one. It has kick-started the campaign to raise at least £200k to refurbish Emunah’s Afulah home.”
She also praised Westfield London, which donated prizes and vouchers – as well as  children’s socks that will be sent to the Emunah home.