Volunteers came together regardless of their differences to help their community on Mitzvah Day.

In Borehamwood, projects run by the Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue included a collectathon of unwanted football kits for KitAid.

Volunteers also collected and cleaned 500 pairs of shoes for the charity Step-Up, and there was a loom band workshop to be distributed by the charity Gift to children in hospitals.

Others joined Edgware B'nai B'rith Youth Organisation clearing leaves at Bushey Cemetery, and a 50-strong team helped to clear Woodcock Hill in Borehamwood as part of an inter-faith project.

A record-breaking collectathon for Borehamwood Foodbank at Tesco, in Shenley Road, brought in almost 500kg of food in three hours.

A foodbank representative said: “We have been deeply touched by the generosity of local people and businesses, and we are very grateful for Borehamwood and Elstree Synagogue’s support. Your kind donations will help us meet the needs of some of the most vulnerable people in our society.”

After Mitzvah Day, lunch was also provided for the visitors to the Borehamwood Foodbank.

The synagogue’s project organiser Lauren Schogger said: “It was amazing and exciting to see so many members of our community joining together in order to make a genuine difference.

“We can really see how our projects and the many others around the UK carried out on Mitzvah Day help shape stronger local neighbourhoods.”

On Friday, children at Little Bicks nursery made fairy cakes for Townsend shelter in Borehamwood and cards for Save A Child’s Heart to put a smile on unwell children’s faces. 

Nursery manager Rochelle Shorrick said: “We explained to the children that what we were doing was to make other people smile and to help them.  We couldn’t have been prouder of the children’s enthusiasm and we are thrilled to be part of Mitzvah Day again.” 

Radlett schoolgirl Katie Swabel, 11, and her father Darren also got involved with the good deed day and volunteered for the Kisharon charity that helps disabled children and adults.

More than 40 volunteers taking part in the gardening project at Kisharon's adult day centre, in Hendon, on Sunday, including the 11-year-old Haberdasher Aske’s pupil who was inspired by her father, who regularly volunteers for the charity.

She said: "Dad normally comes to help at Kisharon so I asked if I could come with him as it was Mitzvah day and I was glad to help."

The charity plan to sell produce to the public to raise funds and Sunday marked the launch of it.

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