More than 40 volunteers were a "big help" to Kisharon gardener Flavio Pereira who gave up his Sunday morning to run a Mitzvah Day project at the charity's Hendon headquarters and adult day centre.

Brazil-born Mr Pereira became involved with Kisharon's work supporting people with learning difficulties in the summer. "Gardening is my passion - it puts you in touch with nature - and I like to help people, so when I heard about Mitzvah Day I wanted to take part. It is a good idea because it teaches people about volunteering - you should do something for charity every day if you can. The volunteers have been a big help and I have really enjoyed it."

Mr Pereira enlisted the help of his friend Moacir Uliano to supervise the planting of vegetables and shrubs. The day launched a Kisharon social enterprise whereby the charity will sell produce to the public to raise funds.

First to arrive was Moishe Goldblatt who lives in a Kisharon supported living facility and is a regular volunteer for the charity. The volunteer force included children from Alyth Gardens Synagogue, Kisharon staff and family members; Kisharon Day School pupils and long-term supporters.

Also on Sunday and less than a mile away, some 200 people attended a party for Kisharon's Tuffkid Nursery, organised by volunteers Julie Cohn and Michelle Sint at Hendon's Ner Yisrael Community.

Kisharon chief executive Dr Beverley Jacobson said: "This has been our best-ever Mitzvah Day and we are delighted with the level of support."