Thousands turn out for Mitzvah Day

Record numbers of volunteers turned out for the Mitzvah Day charity event on Sunday.

Around 37,000 people across the country collected food, took on conservation tasks and participated in a range of social action projects

It was the biggest turn-out yet for the annual event, which has been running for nine years and encourages people to contribute time rather than money to worthy causes in and beyond the Jewish community.

Global financial consultancy firm Ernst and Young and bank Santander joined the “Give Away Your Lunch” scheme that saw 65 big businesses across the country donating food to the homeless in their communities.

As with previous years, some of the day’s activities were interfaith with representatives from the Muslim and Christian communities joining in.

At the Tesco in Brent Cross, in north-west London, Hendon Reform Synagogue organised a food collection with local Muslims and Christians. Volunteers from all three communities stood outside the supermarket and asked shoppers to buy something extra to donate.

Groups of all ages worked with their local conservation groups to help clear rubbish from parks and tidy cemeteries. The Sunshine to Senior’ programme saw school children visiting residents in care homes.

Praise for the volunteers came from Prime Minister David Cameron who commended the “ordinary people” who “go out and do extraordinary things to help the vulnerable or those in need.”

Mitzvah Day was founded in 2005 by Laura Marks, chair and senior vice president of the Board of Deputies.