A Hertsmere Jewish Primary School pupil has donated his ninth birthday cake to the homeless.

Harry Patnick asked his mother Lisa to take the celebratory cake to a soup kitchen. Mrs Patnick, 45, had launched an appeal for clothing donations after a recent visit to her home city of Manchester with her husband and four sons.

“We had taken the train and when we got off, within the space of a mile, there were 20 homeless people on the floor," she said

“I wanted to explain to the kids how lucky they are, compared to these people who had nothing.”

She later appealed to friends and relatives on Facebook for clothing donations and was overwhelmed by the response. “Lots of HJPS mums were unbelievable and I got 32 sacks full of clothing and warm blankets.

“Then it was Harry’s birthday. He had some friends over and we brought out the cake. He said: ‘Mummy, why don’t you take the cake and give it to the people on the streets?’”

Mrs Patnick and three friends distributed the cake at a soup kitchen in Kentish Town and on the streets of the capital.

“The men and women we met were so humble and gracious. They were grateful for the opportunity to talk to somebody.”

She was particularly struck by the reaction of an elderly woman who burst into tears when given a pair of second-hand shoes.

“For a fleeting moment, a piece of cake and an old pair of boots had made this woman feel human again,” she said.

Still receiving donations, Mrs Patnick hopes to organise further runs in Manchester, Sheffield and Brighton – and is considering setting up a charity.

“There are so many people out there who want to give but just don’t know how."