Jewish Child's Day. Helping to make a Jewish child's day

JCD Active, the young professionals arm of Jewish Child’s Day, successfully launched with "An evening with Theo Paphitis" at the High Holborn offices of solicitors Olswang.

Dragons’ Den star Paphitis, owner of Ryman and Partners the Stationers and joint-owner with fellow Dragon Peter Jones of Red Letter Days, gave a short outline of his business career before answering questions from the 90-strong audience.

JCD executive director Daniel Burger opened the evening with a short address about the work of JCD and JCD Active chairman Richard Clayton introduced the guest speaker.

Paphitis was later presented with a painting by Adam Fenner, a partner in Olswang. The painting was specially created by an 11-year-old child who suffers from autism and is under the care of Project Smile, one of the JCD-funded projects run by the Manchester Jewish Federation, whose chief executive, Karen Phillips, was present.

Burger said afterwards: “We were delighted with the marvellous response to JCD Active which we feel will play a very important role in JCD. It was an excellent start and one which we hope JCD Active will build on.”

Clayton said: “We were thrilled to get such a high-profile guest as Theo Paphitis, who although not Jewish himself readily acknowledges the support he has received from Jewish businessmen, particularly during his early days.

“It was a great start and we are already planning our next function which is expected to be held early in the New Year.”