Celebs kick off UJIA Sports Dinner in style

Over 300 people, including stars of the sporting world, kicked off UJIA's annual Sports Dinner and Quiz on Wednesday 12 May 2010. Guests raised £201,000 to support UJIA's work for young people and education in northern Israel's Galil region.

The event at the Wembley Stadium's Bobby Moore Suite was organised by UJIA's Sports Group and sponsored by BDO. Guests tested their sporting knowledge with a quiz hosted by Sky Sports' Jim White and bid in an auction for signed sporting memorabilia.

Funds raised will go to support projects in the north of Israel including the Cochav Centre for people with learning disabilities, the Moshav Shomera clubhouse for at-risk children and the Sporting Chance Programme in Ma'aleh Yosef, a disadvantaged district near the Lebanon border.

A special presentation was made to dedicate a classroom at Tel Hai Academic College to BDO in honour of the company's continued support of UJIA's work and the sponsorship of the Sports Dinner. Michael Goldstein, partner at BDO, was presented with a UJIA certificate.

Guests included:

• Brian Barwick, head of the Football Association, 2005-2008
• Chris Cowdrey, former England cricket captain
• Gerry Francis, former player for Tottenham Hotspur and England
• Leon Taylor, silver medal winner for diving, Athens 2004 Olympics
• Nigel Winterburn, former Arsenal player.

Jay Marks, chair of the UJIA Sports Group, said:

"I was delighted with the incredible feedback we got from our guests who felt it was the best Sports Dinner yet and an outstanding production, with Jim White a superb host. Having some of Sky Sports' best loved names participating made it extra special. An Australian asked me to produce the event down under so maybe we'll go international next year. Wembley is the perfect venue for us and we will aim to enhance it again next year with more auction lots and more big names in the audience."

Visit our photo gallery to see more pictures from the event. Photographs by Isaac Strang.