On Monday 26 November we welcomed 400 guests to the Dorchester for the Magen David Adom UK annual dinner and raised a phenomenal £550,000 on the night, taking the annual dinner campaign to £2.6m. This money will go towards the National Blood and Logistics Centre in Ramla – a partnership with the Government of Israel and the American Friends of Magen David Adom.
Special guest Judge Rinder was the compere for the evening and kept the guests entertained throughout.
MDA UK chairman David Curtis presented Norman Rosenbaum with his “Point of Light” award. An award of recognition by the Prime Minister for his fundraising work for Magen David Adom. David Curtis told guests of some of the great work Norman has done for MDA.
This year’s film was based on blood and how Magen David Adom plays such a huge role in the blood supply in Israel.
During the evening, there were screens up which were connected live to the dispatch centre in Israel. Donors were able to follow their ambulance live, real time on a shift and all guests were able to follow all activity on the streets of Tel Aviv.
MDA UK Chief Executive Daniel Burger commented “You have just witnessed the very real way that blood saves lives in Israel. And how, in collecting, processing, distributing and administering this most precious of commodities, Magen David Adom is genuinely providing the lifeblood of Israel.”
A tribute was paid to the late Eli Benson, ex Chief Executive of MDA UK, who devoted his career to helping others both in Israel and in the diaspora.