Kisharon Langdon’s Fundraising Dinner Raises £1.7 Million Celebrating “This Is My Life”

Kisharon Langdon’s Fundraising Dinner welcomed over 750 guests to Grosvenor House on Wednesday 28th January for an uplifting and inspiring evening, raising an extraordinary £1.7 million to support its life-changing services for people with learning disabilities and autistic people. The evening was made even more special by the active involvement of people supported by Kisharon Langdon, who took on roles ranging from helping at reception, assisting with production, to MCing on stage, demonstrating confidence, professionalism, and pride throughout the night.

With the powerful theme “This Is My Life”, the dinner celebrated individuality, ambition, and the shared belief that everyone deserves not just to exist, but to thrive. Throughout the evening, guests saw how this belief is brought to life every day through Kisharon Langdon’s growing services and how their generosity makes that possible.

A highlight of the night was a joyful performance by Britain’s Got Talent finalists, Electric Umbrella, who performed a bespoke song written in collaboration with pupils from the Wohl Campus, Kisharon Noé School, a Loftus Learning Centre. The performance embodied the warmth, creativity, and confidence that flourish when people are supported to express themselves.

Guests were also deeply moved by speeches from Marc Butcher, Shammai Rotenberg and Sarah Merriman, all of whom are supported by Kisharon Langdon, and who shared their personal experiences, speaking powerfully about how the charity has enabled them to build independence, connection, and purpose in their lives.

The appeal film, also titled “This Is My Life”, followed the stories of Leah, Channi, and Chanochi, offering an intimate look at how tailored, compassionate support from Kisharon Langdon transforms everyday opportunities into meaningful lives.

Speaking at the dinner, Richard Franklin, Chief Executive of Kisharon Langdon, highlighted how guests’ generosity directly translates into real impact:

“Your presence here tonight is more than support. It is a statement. A statement that people with learning disabilities and autistic people deserve to thrive. Because of supporters like you, our services continue to grow and evolve, even in the most challenging times.”

He went on to share the tangible progress made across the organisation:

Day Services have expanded from 26 sessions per month to over 140, creating more opportunities for learning, skills, and social connection.

Supported Living now supports 166 individuals, up from 147, enabling more people to live independently and with dignity.

In education, 142 pupils and students now benefit from seamless progression from nursery through college, with the nursery at 118% capacity and the school at 113%, underlining both quality and demand.

The Wohl Employment Programme has supported 72 people into employment or work equivalence, with success rates far exceeding comparable programmes.

And Friday Night Dinners, now attended by more than 70 people, have quadrupled in size, creating community and belonging where it was sometimes absent.

“These achievements show what we can do when we work together,” Richard added. “But sustaining and growing these services isn’t easy. This year alone, we need to raise £4.6 million to meet rising costs and increasing demand. The generosity shown in this room tonight is vital to ensuring we can continue delivering safe, high-quality, transformative support.”

Nicole Ronson Allalouf, Chair of the Kisharon Langdon Fundraising Dinner, said:
“It was truly wonderful to look out and see over 750 supporters, families, and friends gathered last night for the second Kisharon Langdon Fundraising Dinner. I want to thank the 17 people we support who helped bring the evening to life with their skill and professionalism. Last night was about community, connection, and celebrating lives lived with purpose and possibility. Thank you to everyone who came for believing in this work and supporting Kisharon Langdon so generously.”

Kisharon Langdon Co-Chairs, Nick Doffman and Philip Goldberg, added:
“As Co-Chairs, we are immensely proud of how far Kisharon Langdon has come. The merging of Kisharon and Langdon has created an organisation with deeper expertise, broader reach, and a more unified vision. Over the past year, we have expanded opportunities for independent living, enriched our educational and social programmes, and delivered exceptional outcomes for the people who rely on us.

We want to express our heartfelt thanks to all our supporters, whose generosity sustains everything we do; to our Dinner Chair, Nicole Ronson Allalouf, whose commitment ensured the night’s success; to our Honorary President, Leo Noé, our trustees, and to our dedicated volunteers and staff. Our fundraising dinner is a celebration not only of what we have achieved but of the values that make this community so special. Thank you for standing beside us and helping shape a future of opportunity and dignity for every person we support.”

The £1.7 million raised on the night is a vital contribution towards Kisharon Langdon’s annual funding requirement and will help ensure that more people can say, with confidence and pride, ‘This is my life.’

With thanks to Electric Umbrella, Community Security Trust (CST), Ronit Knoble-Gershon and Fantastic Films, Gen Z Events, Tony Page, The Bloom Station, CC Comms, Spema Print, Justin Grainge Photography and The Grosvenor House Hotel, for their roles in the Kisharon Langdon 2026 Annual Dinner.