Jewish founder of children's heart charity honoured by PM

Walter Felman was awarded a 'Points of Light' for founding an organisation which flies children to Israel for life-saving surgery

A Jewish man from London who founded an organisation which flies children to Israel for life-saving surgery has been awarded a Point of Light by Prime Minister David Cameron.

Walter Felman set up the UK branch of Save a Child’s Heart in 1999, flying children into Israel from poorer countries around the world for surgery at the Wolfson Medical Center in Holon, where he has raised over £1 million.

Felman, a Rotarian from Mill Hill, had earlier been given the ‘Self above Service Award’ from Rotary International, one of the organisation’s highest honours, for his role in helping to save 4,000 children.

Walter with his wife Pat at the launch of the SACH International Paediatric Hospital project, also at the Wolfson Medical Centre

“Walter’s service has saved young lives,” said Cameron.

Thanks to his work children have received world-class care that would not otherwise have been available to them and medics in their home countries are improving their skills.”

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Felman said: “I am still trying to come to terms with this. It is a wonderful recognition of Save a Child’s Heart… My thanks to the Prime Minister, for this opportunity to give wider awareness of the work we do.”