Professor Eilat Shinar, Director of Israel’s National Blood Services, began her whirlwind tour of the UK with an event at the House of Lords. Hosted by legal luminary and former Lord Chief of Justice, Lord Woolf, sixty professionals in the legal sector gathered to hear all about the Magen David Adom UK Legacy programme and how it works.
Professor Shinar shared a few words about the work she does in Israel and retired circuit judge Dawn Freedman spoke about the legacy initiative. There was also an opportunity for Professor Shinar to hold one-to-one meetings with donors and potential donors. Explaining just how vital MDA Blood Services is, and their plans for the future.
Day two saw a trip to Glasgow, where we were kindly hosted by Jewish Care Scotland. The community has raised funds for MDA for a number of years and a further two Medicycles for the MDA UK fleet were donated on the night.
Israeli diplomat, writer and columnist Ron Prosor, was the guest of honour at a dinner hosted by long term MDA UK supporters Nadine & Sami Aysoy.
Seventy guests gathered at London’s exclusive Home House to hear Ambassador Prosor’s views on how to build up Israel’s presence within the global community in spite of the near-impossible situation at the United Nations. Following the dinner there was a Q&A where topics included Magen David Adom, Israeli politics and UN relations.
Professor Shinar’s visit concluded with a jam-packed day. In the morning we were hosted by the Sheffield community,
who are half way to raising funds for their first Medicycle. We are extremely thankful for Frada Wilenski for her
continued support to Magen David Adom UK (and for singlehandedly catering the event!)
The day and Professor Shinar’s trip ended with a dinner to celebrate the amazing achievements of our trekkers. Participants
past, present and future, came together to celebrate breaking through the £300k barrier in just two years of treks.
Thanks to the Trekker alumni, MDA has a further three Medicycles, an ambulance and a Mobile Intensive Care Unit (MICU) on the road saving lives. This year the trekkers are taking on rebuilding a new station in the Bedouin
community of Rahat.