More than 5,000 people across London and the south east have baked, iced and consumed cake to raise funds for, and awareness of, Jewish Care's services for the elderly.

Those taking part in the charity's fourth Great Jewish Bake Day included pupils from 25 schools and nurseries. Supporters hosted tea parties for family and friends and in Southend, a volunteer invited members of Jewish Care's local community centre to her home for a pool party.

Among the cookery students at a master-class with Cakes by Rachel Rachel were Mill Hill octogenarians Frank and Marian Colet. It was Mrs Colet's 84th birthday and her husband had not been expecting "so much cake. I've been taking cookery classes recently so I'm always pleased to learn new tricks."

Wohl Ilford Jewish Primary pupils joined the tea party at Redbridge Jewish Community Centre and Eden Primary children danced with residents at the Betty and Asher Loftus Centre in Friern Barnet, where the party had a beach theme.

Eden teacher Laura Fox stressed the importance of intergenerational activities. "You can't teach this in a classroom. Small acts of kindness and reaching out to others in the community is so important."

Kosher bakeries in north London and Hertfordshire also got into the spirit of the event by selling cakes in aid of Jewish Care.