Harrow East MP Bob Blackman has praised the impact of Mitzvah Day after teaming up with Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue volunteers of all ages to help clean up a local park.

The shul contingent was joined by the Friends of Canons Park gardening group in the walled rose garden at Canons Park, where the volunteers, including children, cleared litter and pulled out weeds as part of a general tidying.

“This is an area that was neglected for a long time,” the MP said. “We got some extra money put in to bring it back into operation but it needs the wonderful work done by volunteers to clear it.

“Mitzvah Day is all about giving service to the community and I thank everyone, right across the country, who is giving their time this year.”

Also taking part was Mitzvah Day CEO Stuart Diamond, who said the day illustrated how “social action projects can make a visible and vital difference to the world around us”.

Support from MPs across the political divide helped ensure the wider public was aware of Mitzvah Day and felt comfortable about taking part, he added.

The synagogue’s varied Mitzvah Day programme also includes its annual tea for seniors and Ajex members — complete with a Barbra Streisand tribute act — “collectathons”, soup making, children’s activities and entertaining residents at a local Jewish Care home.

mitzvahday.org.uk