Magen David Adom UK raised a record £2million-plus from its annual dinner at the Dorchester, Park Lane, on Monday

Broadcaster and former Tory MP Gyles Brandreth hosted the evening and Sir Eric Pickles made a presentation honouring Daniella Baron Cohen and Gil Weiser for their continuing contribution to MDA. The main speaker was Captain Ziv Shilon who moved guests with the story of how he lost a hand, and nearly his life, when a bomb detonated while he was on duty in the Gaza Strip. Magen David Adom blood transfusions had saved his life.

MDA UK chief executive Daniel Burger said afterwards that he was "delighted and overwhelmed" by the support "from our incredible long-standing donors, and also from new ones. Nothing makes me more proud than seeing the support from the next generation grow."