FRIENDS OF ILAN (UK) ANNUAL DINNER
SUNDAY 23^RD NOVEMBER 2003

The committee and members of Friends of Ilan UK and their guests met at the Landmark Hotel on Marylebone Road, London, on Sunday 23^rd November, to celebrate their annual winter dinner, for the 3^rd year running at this spectacular venue. In all 158 friends sat down to dinner.

Interspersed between the various courses of the meal was an excellent programme of entertainment. There were also speeches from Ilan director general Shimon Zurielli and Mr Roey Gilad, Minister Counsellor for Political Affairs at the Embassy of Israel, but the main attraction of the evening was undoubtedly the presence of Dana Peled, from the Giloh home in Jerusalem who, together with her carer, had flown over especially for the event.

Dana talked eloquently of her life and experiences in the care of Ilan and her words, which spoke of her determination not to let her handicap dictate her life, were warmly appreciated by all. As a special surprise, the entertainers came down from the stage and dedicated one of their songs to her, as a birthday cake, complete with candles, was brought in to celebrate her special day.

The main speaker of the evening, Mr Michael Freedland, a broadcaster and journalist, reminded members of the wonderful work carried out by Ilan in Israel, under the most difficult circumstances imaginable. He had special praise for the manner in which this care is extended to all handicapped children in the community, whether Jewish, Christian, Muslim or Druse. Ilan is a shining example to politicians, religious fanatics and others that people of different beliefs can care and co-exist.

The evening was a great success, once again, and it is to be hoped that this event and venue will themselves become an annual ‘landmark’ in London, putting the work of Ilan ever more in the for front of peoples consciousness and conscience.

Dana Peled resident of Gilo Home