Three inspirational women were recognised for their dedicated work at a charity lunch that raised £75,000.

The women were recognised at Jewish Care’s Women of Distinction lunch held at St John's Wood Synagogue on Tuesday (March 21).

Around 180 guests raised vital funds for Sidney Corob House care home in West Hampstead, which is for people living with severe, long term mental health needs. 

Dame Melinda Simmons DCMG, Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Ukraine, received her distinction award in recognition of her work serving as the Ambassador of the United Kingdom in Ukraine since 2019.

She accepted her award on video link because she is currently in Ukraine visiting civilians impacted by the Russian invasion. 

Baroness Beeban Kidron OBE, an advocate for children’s rights in the digital world, who is currently putting through the Online Safety Bill, said she was "immensely grateful" to be recognised.

Film director Doreen Gainsford, who picked up an award on behalf  of The 35s Women’s Campaign for Soviet Jewry to campaign for the freedom of Soviet Jewry in the 1960s, was also recognised for her dedication.