The Client

The ’45 Aid Society was established in 1963. Formed from its founding members — known to this day as “the Boys” — the orphaned child survivors of Nazi concentration camps.

After World War Two, the British government had agreed to take in 1000 children, aged between 8 and 16. The 732 survivors found (including 204 girls) were flown to special hostels set up in Lancashire, Windermere, Southampton and Scotland for rehabilitation and recovery.

Education and charitable causes

Going on to build successful new lives — in Britain, US, Israel, Australia and elsewhere — “the Boys” forged a lifelong bond as members of an extraordinary extended family. The ’45 Aid Society was created to raise money for charitable causes, give back to society and to look after each other.

In recent years, a succeeding generation of children and grandchildren of the Boys have become custodians of the remarkable testimonies and life stories. Dedicated to keeping their collective history alive and relevant for future generations through educational activities, community events and fundraising.

The Event

The annual dinner event, which has been running since the mid-1960s, takes place at different venues including, the Holiday Inn, Euston and the Holiday Inn, Borehamwood. Renewed awareness and interest in supporting the occasion led the event to be staged at The Hilton Hotel, Wembley.

The move to Wembley in 2015 coincided with the 70th Anniversary of the Annual Reunion Gala Dinner, with more than 600 people in attendance.

In 2023 and 2024 the event moved to the Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, and in 2025, coinciding with the 80th Anniversary, the dinner is moving to the Royal Lancaster Hotel.

Over the years many well-known  people have attended as  VIP guests and as speakers, including Sajid David, Ed Balls, Yvette Cooper, Lord Eric Pickles, Jonathan Freedland, Craig David, and Rob Rinder who, being the Grandson of a survivor, is actively involved with the Organisation and frequently comperes.

Production Services

Increase in scale and complexity

Sound Division provides technical production services for this remarkable evening, which has grown in complexity as the scale and requirements continue to expand for each annual event. A full production team are in situ to manage all aspects of the video, sound, lighting, staging and engineering requirements.

Complex running orders include, an integrated, multiple mix of in-person, live-streamed and recorded presentations, showreels, speeches and interviews. All delivered flawlessly over the course of the evening via large screens and PA system.

Video Presentations and showreels are managed with QLab software running through Apple Mac Book Pros, and displayed on to the hotel’s in-house Panasonic three-head projection system. In addition, four Samsung 65” screens were installed to cover the furthest reaches of the hall.

Speeches and interviews

The main key note speeches are captured via a pair of discreet AKG C747 Condenser Microphones fitted to the stage lectern and all interviews by using hand held Shure QLD microphones.

Band & PA system

A full set of Shure & Sennheiser live sound and instrument microphones, backline and stage monitors were supplied for the band, mixed through a Yamaha 32 channel digital desk and played out through a d&b Y-series loudspeaker FOH system with d&b E8’s to cover the far reaches of the function suite.

Lighting system

Twelve Chauvet Moving head spots & gobo wash lights were rigged together with a number of Selecon Source Four luminaires to light the room, stage and dancefloor, as well as to highlight the commemorative quilts.

Additional warmth and ambience was introduced into the room by twenty high-powered Chauvet wireless uplighters set up to colour-wash the walls.

An Avolite Tiger Touch 2 lighting desk was deployed for lighting control.

Last Word

“It’s always an honour to be involved with the annual ’45 Aid Society Dinner in support of their invaluable work. And given full responsibility for technical production to ensure the event runs smoothly each year” — David Graham, Managing Director, Sound Division.