More than 400 Stanmore Synagogue members collected clothes and books and made Chanucah cards in support of five charities.

Volunteers filled 35 sacks of winter clothing and knitted blankets for World Jewish Relief, donated books to the British Heart Foundation and made 180 Chanucah cards for Emunah. A large van of shopping was sent to Watford New Hope Trust for the homeless and the synagogue also collected books, DVDs and chocolate for soldiers in Afghanistan.

Coach travel was arranged for Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen and Women members travelling to Whitehall for the Ajex annual parade. Volunteers also made repairs to synagogue siddurim.

Volunteer Colin Gaunt said: "My wife and I couldn't stop commenting on how good it felt just to see so many different people coming together to help others less fortunate."

Synagogue vice-chair Jacqui Rudolph added: "Over and above what we did for other charities, it's what we did for our community spirit that is amazing. We had 80-year-olds teaching three-year-olds how to knit."