It was the day that defined Chen Haoun’s life. A senior in Israeli high school, he was daydreaming about his future as he entered the market area in Hadera, he told One Family UK supporters at the charity’s London dinner.

“A  moment later, my world was torn apart. A suicide bomber blew himself up, murdering five, and leaving me terribly wounded. I suffered major head and internal trauma, as well as grievous and extensive burns.”

For a month after the October 2005 attack, he oscillated between life and death. Against the odds, he survived.

“But I was a broken, shattered thing and I needed help — a lot of it. In the following months, I underwent many operations and other medical procedures designed to give me a chance for a relatively normal life.

“I’m alive but with only 25 per cent hearing and a body still full of shrapnel.”

Mr Haoun was discharged from IDF on health grounds but insisted on volunteering to serve in its  spokesperson’s unit. Sitting in the front row of lessons to read the lips of lecturers, he went on to complete a law degree followed by a master’s, having been chosen to join the accelerated programme for the brightest and most motivated.
The 28-year-old is hugely appreciative of the assistance of One Family, which helps victims of terror.

“They cared for me, they helped me, they funded my scholarship through law school and they deserve the lion’s share of the credit for who I am today. I’m not sure I believe in heavenly angels. It’s hard to after the ordeal I went through. But with One Family, I believe in earthly ones.”

Mr Haoun was among three recipients of One Family’s Heroes award at the dinner at the Lancaster London, which raised more than  £900,000 towards the charity’s counsellor support network in Israel.

The others were David Hatuel, president of One Family in Israel, and Avigdor Gavish. Mr Hatuel’s wife and four daughters were killed by terrorists.

Mr Gavish — who lost his parents, grandfather and brother in an attack — has, with the help of One Family, pursued a career in music and recently released his first album in Israel.