Counting down our Community Hero nominees – George Rosenfeld

The Jewish News , in partnership with Mitzvah Day, is proud to present the ten shortlisted nominees for the annual Community Hero Award!

Here on jewishnews.co.uk we’ll be counting down the ten nominees until November the 17th when the winner will be chosen at Mitzvah Day!

All have been nominated by readers for their acts of communal kindness towards others, in the Jewish community and beyond. Profiles by Caron Kemp.[divider]

Teenager George Rosenfeld spent his 14th birthday in Zambia seeing first-hand how the £16,500 he raised for water, hygiene and sanitisation charity WaterAid is helping to create a better future for his peers overseas.

Having decided to donate his barmitzvah gifts to the charity, the City of London school boy became so inspired that he went on to organise a range of fundraising initiatives including a quiz night, a 24-hour sponsored fishing event and even the recording of a charity CD of Jewish music alongside some friends.

Believing that everyone can give something, George has now mobilised his school to raise more than £120,000 for WaterAid which is making a difference to thousands of lives.

He constantly encourages children his age to take the £2 they would spend on a snack and help change the inequality in our world, to create a place where developing world problems don’t exist.

George’s own personal fundraising efforts for WaterAid have now reached £23,200. He has also raised £4,000 each for Chai Cancer Care and Emunah.

Family friend and nominator Lisa Capelouto is so proud of the teenager.

“I nominated George because he is the embodiment of good Jewish values, raising money not just for our community but also this of those in need around the world,” she explains.

“I believe that this really is an exceptional achievement for a 14-year-old and feel he is a credit to his family and our community.”