A 65-year-old doctor who has flown more than 500 missions for the East Anglian Air Ambulance is the latest winner of a new volunteering award, the prime minister has announced.

Tom Moore, of Dilham, is the latest hero to receive a Point of Light award, which recognises outstanding people who are making a difference in their community and inspiring others. Dr Moore, who has three children and three granchildren, is to retire in February and has dedicated hours of his free time to save lives.

He said: 'I am really very pleased both for myself and for the charity. I am very grateful indeed for the recognition this award gives to the EAAA. I believe it reflects on the whole team, and indeed on the whole network of voluntary pre-hospital emergency care that exists in the UK through the British Association for Immediate Care.'

Dr Moore has a long history of voluntary work. In 1983, he jointly set up the charity British Association for Immediate Care Hampshire, and spent 18 years as a volunteer for Hampshire Ambulance. He moved to Norfolk in 2002, where he joined and worked with the Cambridge-based emergency medical charity Magpas, before joining the EAAA in 2003 as a helicopter medic. He has dedicated at least one day a fortnight to the EAAA, put in enough hours to equal a year of free doctor care, flown more than 500 missions and saved the lives and eased the pain of hundreds of people.

His tireless efforts were recognised with an EDP Stars of Norfolk award last year. The PM, David Cameron, said: 'This Point of Light award recognises Tom's life-saving service. Tom has shown tremendous dedication and bravery, using his medical skills to volunteer in life or death situations.'

Each day, someone across the country is selected to receive a Points of Light award to celebrate their achievements.

The new award has been developed in partnership with the Points of Light programme in America, which was established by president George W Bush, and has since recognised more than 5,000 people.