Barnet Mayor Councillor Rita Rutter supported the Norwood Mitzvah Day effort.

Councillor Rutter attended a tea party thrown by Young Norwood volunteers at the Kennedy Leigh Family Centre in Hendon for members of the Unity recreational group for disabled children and young people.

Young Hendon United and Edgware Reform congregants helped to paint a mural at Kennedy Leigh and gave the Norwood nursery a spring clean. Bnei Akiva members wrapped gifts donated by Norwood staff, which will be distributed to families supported by the charity and Barnardo's.

Elsewhere, pupils from Norwood's Binoh specialist education and therapy service joined other volunteers to make cards and Chanucah gifts for Norwood residents and people supported by cancer charity Chai.

Belmont Synagogue members led musical and arts and crafts sessions at a Norwood residential home in Stanmore.

Volunteers at the charity's shop in Barkingside organised a sewing circle to recycle donated clothing into vintage wear.

Families using the Norwood nursery and family centre in Hendon collected winter clothes for causes including an Ukranian orphanage, Tikva Odessa.

And volunteers from south London United, Reform and Liberal communities planted bulbs in a gardening project at the Ravenswood residential community in Berkshire.

Saul Levitt - who with wife Natalie painted a fence at the Norwood nursery - said the day offered "a wonderful opportunity to get involved in community projects that really count.

"So often, we go about our day-to-day lives and don't dedicate enough time to volunteering.Mitzvah Day is a way of setting aside time and really making a difference.

"It was also inspiring to see people who use Norwood's services taking part - and having such a fun time."