Hatzola Northwest raises £1.6m in first ever fundraiser amid paramedics' strike

Emergency medical response charity serving Jewish communities in north-west London left blown away by generosity of donors

An emergency response charity serving the Jewish community in north-west London has thanked more than 9,000 donors after it raised £1.6m for the next two years.

Hatzola Northwest, which runs a team of paramedics and first responders using their own ambulances, said its first official fundraising effort had surpassed expectations.

The charity’s chair Shloimie Richman said: “We are warmed by the support of the community and by those members of the public that came forward to take their own pages and reach out to their own network enabling Hatzola to widen its donor base.”

The timing of the 36-hour fundraiser could not have been more apt, with paramedics and 999 call handlers across the country walking out on strike. Nurses are also taking industrial action this month, with many describing the NHS as “on its knees”.

Hatzola said: “With unrelenting pressure on London ambulances, the number of calls we receive is increasing daily and the need to support the community is growing. With the increasing cost of training and equipment, it was felt now was the right time to approach the community for the first time.”

Former chair Laurence Blitz was “overwhelmed” by the amount raised, adding: “Thanks to this unbelievable generosity and dedication, our community will continue to be supported with emergency ambulance response services”.

The charity said the funds “will go towards enhancing the Hatzola Northwest’s newly qualified paramedics, equipment, and training needs”.