Rob Rinder, Gal Gadot, Lior Raz and Idan Raichel help MDA UK raise £2m

Celebrities including Robert Rinder, Fauda’s Lior Raz and Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot helped Magen David Adom UK raise over £2 million in 36 hours.

The charity’s National Lifesaving Day fundraising initiative, which began on Sunday with a target of raising £2,000,000 by Monday, was quickly topped.

On Monday evening, MDA UK live-streamed an event hosted by barrister and TV presenter Rob Rinder, with messages of support from a number of celebrities including Gal Gadot and Lior Raz, as well as entertainment provided from Israeli mentalist Lior Suchard and musician Idan Raichel.

The event, which over 1,400 people tuned in to, showcased the breadth of work from Israel’s only National Medical and Blood Emergency Service.

At the end of the show, MDA UK say their phone lines were “ringing off the hook”, with donations flooding in to take the total straight over their £2million target, to £2,050,000, with more donations still coming through.

MDA is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organisation, which they said leaves them relying on the generosity of their supporters around the world to continue saving lives. The charity hasn’t been able to hold any fundraising events this year because of the coronavirus pandemic, so they branded the need for funds “greater than ever”.

Rob Rinder, who hosted the live-stream event on Monday night, said: “For me, MDA encompasses all that is good and great about Israel, which is why I am such a passionate supporter and why I’m here tonight.”

Magen David Adom UK Chief Executive, Daniel Burger added: “We are so grateful to everyone who donated, taking us over the £2million target.

“The power of communal effort is outstanding and we are truly overwhelmed by all the support especially in such a challenging year. Congratulations to everyone involved and thank you!”