An 83-year-old grandmother has received the Prime Minister’s Point of Light award for her voluntary work.
Barbara Waterman, from Hendon, north-west London, received the award, which recognises outstanding volunteers, for her work at Stepney Jewish Community Centre in east London – which has a declining Jewish community.
Mrs Waterman has volunteered at the centre for more than 25,000 hours since she first visited it in 1970. She has also raised £20,000 as treasurer the Stepney Fundraising committee.
Mrs Waterman, who is the 294th winner of the award, is one of Jewish Care’s longest serving volunteers.
David Cameron said: “Barbara has dedicated more than half of her life to support Jewish Care, directly improving the lives of the elderly Jewish community in East London. In Barbara they find a caring and generous woman, who for over 45 years, has provided emotional and social support for so many. I’m delighted to recognise Barbara’s service to others by making her a Point of Light.”
Mrs Waterman, who was one of the top 10 people featured in the JC’s Mensch of the Year earlier this year, said: “I am so proud to receive this award on behalf of Jewish Care. Of the 3,500 volunteers with the organisation, it is even more amazing that I was nominated and then won.”
Matthew Offord, the Tory MP for Hendon, said: “I am delighted to award Barbara’s a Point of Light for her many years of dedication. Barbara’s commitment to the Stepney Jewish Community Centre is second to none and the amount she has helped to raise over the years is testament to this.”
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