Good deeds aplenty will be completed on Sunday, thanks to Laura Marks, the founder and chair of Mitzvah Day - a day of social action, where individuals and groups take part in volunteering projects across the UK.

Previously run in association with the Jewish Community Centre for London, Mitzvah Day is now its own registered charity. Ms Marks, who is married to TV producer Dan Patterson, expects at least 5,000 people to actively participate during the event, which takes place on Sunday. She tells People: "Mitzvah Day is an easy way for people to do a favour for each other, particularly now when not everyone can afford to give a lot of money. It's not about writing another cheque, it's about going out and doing something. I live, eat, sleep and breathe Mitzvah Day. We won't change the world but we will make a difference."

Ms Marks established the UK Mitzvah Day, based on Big Sunday in LA where she used to live when she moved to London in 2003.