Cherie Blair hosted Kisharon’s Ladies Brunch on Monday, which raised a record £52,000 for Kisharon’s services in support of children and adults with learning difficulties.
Kisharon’s third Ladies Brunch saw 180 women at The Avenue, N3 to hear Cherie Blair CBE QC’s thoughts following her recent visit to Kisharon’s services, including Tuffkid Nursery. Cherie had requested the meeting with children and adults supported by Kisharon, to gain some first-hand insight into the charity’s innovative programmes to empower those with learning difficulties. Ms Blair runs a foundation focusing on empowering women and giving them equal opportunities to establish and grow their businesses.
Speaking from her visit to Kisharon’s services, Ms Blair said: “I was delighted to be asked to host Kisharon’s Ladies Brunch this year and to have the opportunity to tour some of Kisharon’s vital services recently.
“Equality and empowerment are two themes that are very close to my heart and seeing the dedication of all the staff at Kisharon to empowering the people they support and to giving them the tools to lead full lives and play an active role in their communities was truly inspiring. Organisations such as these break down misconceptions about people with learning difficulties, opening up opportunities never before thought possible for the people they support. The essential support of everyone involved in the Ladies’ Brunch shows how important Kisharon’s role is in the Jewish community.”
The brunch, whose previous speakers have included Mary Portas and Jenny Barnett, was organised by Phillippa Hasenson and Perri Noé. The programme featured guest host Cherie Blair “In Conversation with” journalist Sarah Lockett, in which Ms Blair spoke passionately about her engagement with Kisharon’s staff and services, as well as employment and equality for women. Referencing her experience “working with children with special educational needs” as a barrister, Ms Blair said she had seen “many facilities for children” and was particularly impressed by the amazing “breadth of the work that you do”. Praising Kisharon’s work in “integrating children with special needs and children who do not have special needs”, she added: “All deserve excellence in education and to be part of a community.”
Each guest was gifted with a copy of the just-released second cookbook by The Cooking Lunch Girls, “Cook, Taste, Share”. All proceeds from books purchased from Kisharon’s website and the Kisharon social enterprise Equal Gift Shop in Temple Fortune go to support Kisharon’s work with children and adults with learning difficulties.
Kisharon Chief Executive Bev Jacobson, in welcoming, paid tribute to the “unanticipated success” of the event. “Your support has exceeded all expectations. We are so grateful to our committee members for this fantastic event and to Cherie Blair for helping to shine a spotlight on Kisharon’s efforts to achieve equal opportunities, in particular, for women with learning difficulties.” Debbie Rosten and Malki Tessler – both of whom are supported by Kisharon, also presented and spoke at the event.