At 101, Irene Gatoff is Mitzvah Day’s oldest active volunteer and she has continued her long association with the enterprise by taking part in the latest Newcastle project.

The resident of the local Philip Cussins House care home is passionate about helping others.

This week, she sewed together squares knitted by members of Newcastle’s United Hebrew Congregation to make blankets for the homeless. The blankets have been donated to the charity Changing Lives, which annually helps more than 14,000 people in challenging circumstances.

“I enjoy Mitzvah Day as I feel it is right for us as Jewish people to show the world that we care for those less fortunate,” Ms Gatoff said.

“I enjoy making the blankets with all the people from the community as it really brings us together.

“And 101 is just a number you know.”