Pensioner who raised funds for 11 MDA ambulances honoured by Prime Minister

An 83-year-old who’s raised hundreds of thousands of pounds to purchase ambulances for Israel has been honoured by the prime minister.

Norman Rosenbaum, a retired surgeon who was honoured at Jewish News’ Night of Heroes Awards in February, received the Points of Light Award from Theresa May today, for helping to buy 11 ambulances for Magen David Adom (MDA).

In February, Rosenbaum melted hearts at the awards ceremony in central London, as he passed on his Community Hero award to Kerry Rosenfeld, who raised £7 million to try to find a cure for Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the devastating disease afflicting her son.

Through his shul – Cockfosters and N. Southgate Synagogue – Rosenbaum has helped buy 11 ambulances, which have treated 63,000 people. One was purchased in partnership with the Jewish News.

He is currently raising money for his twelfth, a sterling effort this week recognised by Prime Minister Theresa May.

“Your dedication to fundraising in support of MDA’s important work is inspirational,” she said. “The ambulances you have purchased are saving lives and enabling the organisation to reach people in need of urgent medical care in emergencies.”

Rosenbaum said it was an “unexpected and overwhelming honour,” adding: “It shows that volunteers are highly valued, and together can make an incredible difference.”

He thanked the Cockfosters community and praised MDA, saying he was inspired by how the organisation “provides expert emergency treatment to everyone regardless of race, creed or ethnic affiliation”.

The Points of Light awards are American in origin and are issued to those recognised as “outstanding individual volunteers who are making a change in their community and inspiring others”.

MDA-UK chief executive Daniel Burger said Rosenbaum was “one of our most inspirational volunteers and a huge supporter and advocate for Magen David Adom UK”.

Watch the Jewish News film for Norman Rosenbaum, aired on the Night of Heroes: