More than 300 people gathered on Sunday for a brunch to honour the extrovert showman.

The event, organised by Regina Waldman MBE and her team, raised in excess of £6,000 for Leeds Jewish Welfare Board.

Among those attending were the Deputy Lord Lieutenant Michael Fox, the Lord Mayor of Leeds Rev Alan Taylor, Fabian Hamilton MP and civic dignitaries.

Special guests were best pal Howard Silverman, Pearl and Michael Goldberg and Sir Jimmy's niece Amanda McKenna, who unveiled the gold leaf.

Theatre entrepreneur Dr David King flew in from America especially for the event.

He recalled his early days in Leeds and his friendship with Sir Jimmy.

"Whenever I had issues and I was down and there was no one else I could turn to, I would go and see Jimmy and sit with him," he said.

"He would say 'David, you're a clever and talented boy. Keep your head down, stay out of trouble, work hard and your turn will come'.

"And those words were always in the back of my mind.

"When he passed away I felt that I'd lost not only a great friend, but a wonderful mentor."

Malcolm Statman, who opened the event with his wife Angela, got to know Jimmy in the 1980's when they became neighbours in Roundhay.

"On the first day we moved into our apartment I was standing on the balcony with my wife, mother and four beautiful daughters and Jimmy, standing on his balcony looked across and shouted, 'Now then, now then, what have we here, goodness gracious me? I've got Hugh Hefner and the girls from Playboy mansion living next door to me'.

"Needless to say we became great friends and with his passing we have lost a true friend and the country has lost a national treasure."

Jimmy's niece Amanda McKenna said how proud she was that her uncle had been loved and respected by so many people.

She presented a rare souvenir pack which consisted of the printed order of Jimmy's funeral service, a Jim'll Fix It badge and one of his famous cigars.

It was auctioned for £1,300 by compere Howard Lee.

LJWB president Edward Ziff said: "Jimmy was a great friend to all communities and the Welfare Board was no exception. And for that we are very appreciative."