Margaret Rigal (left) and Rita Eker (right), of the 35's, welcome Sylva Zalmanson and husband Edward Kuznetsou to England after their release from a Soviet labour camp. Sylva and Edward were imprisoned for conspiring to steal a Soviet aeroplane in order to fly to Sweden in 1970.

The Jewish Aid Committee was established to channel medicines, books and educational materials into the Soviet Union. They also sent western visitors to meet persecuted individuals to help guarantee their safety.

When the floodgates opened thousands of Soviet Jews left for Israel, but unfortunately inadequate financial assistance and unemployment faced many of them on arrival.

To help support families, on a one-to-one basis until they could survive alone, the Jewish Aid Committee and the refusenik organisation formed One to One.

Demand for assistance was so great that One to One set up the first fund raising treks in 1994. Since then One to One has arranged exciting and challenging treks for over 1000 people in places of outstanding natural beauty in countries all over the world, raising in excess of 2 million pounds.

One to One continues to help and support the thousands in need in both Russia and Israel. Immigrant families and disadvantaged children receive help through the Israel 35's in Tel Aviv and projects in Beersheva , Keren Klita , Moscow and Odessa. In addition One to One's "Techushons" across Israel provide innovative aesthetic therapies for severely disabled children.

In 1999 the One to One Children's Fund was set up to expand the work with children to many countries around the world. Projects are now running in South Africa, Kosovo, the former Soviet Union and the Middle East. For further information on Children's Fund activities please click here.