Thanks to the generosity of the Jewish Chronicle’s readers, lives will be saved in Israel as Magen David Adom adds a brand-new emergency response motorbike to its fleet.

The successful fundraiser, launched last month, raised £35,000 via hundreds of supporters.

Gil Green, 59, a resident of Bnei-Yehuda, a town in southern Golan Heights, is the medic who will ride the JC-funded bike.

Green began his MDA career as a volunteer in 1989 after successfully finishing an EMT-ambulance driver course. Since then, until today, he has been active both in MDA ambulance shifts and in the medi-cycle unit.

Previously relying on an old 550cc motorbike, the brand-new fully equipped Norden 901 heavy bike will provide Green with improved range, speed and mobility to reach incidents quickly.

Since October 7, Gil has demonstrated unwavering commitment in responding to medical emergencies, remaining “alert and on call 24/7”. He said that he fully understood the important role medical first responders played in Israel and was “full of devotion” to this vital mission.

He sent his “best regards” and gave the “biggest thanks” to the donors from the JC’s readership who helped fund the bike.

MDA bike donated by JC readers (Photo: MDA)

Daniel Burger, MDA UK’s chief executive, said he wished to “personally thank each and every reader of the JC” for the successful crowdfunding initiative.

 “As I walked around Israel on the anniversary of 7/10 and was reminded of the sheer level of death and destruction wrought upon the country one year ago, it was so fulfilling and rewarding to respond to Hamas’ attempt to destroy life by adding a new life-saving vehicle to our fleet.

“If it wasn’t for the JC and its readers, this vehicle wouldn’t have been possible, and I’m delighted to see that it’s already on the road and saving lives and will hopefully continue to do so for many years to come. Thank you so much.”