A group of volunteers, members of learning disability charities and local councillors from Borehamwood and Barnet have joined together to create one of the first “Mitzvah Moments”, designed to extend Mitzvah Day for the entire year.

Focused on supporting vulnerable families and children, the day started with members of local charities for people with learning disabilities using their regular arts and crafts sessions to write friendship messages, create birthday cards, paint bookmarks and design welcome gifts.

A group of 50 volunteers, including local councillor Dan Ozarow and the Mitzvah Day CEO, Stuart Diamond, packed and donated items for Sebby’s Corner, which supports impoverished families, refugees and domestic abuse victims, and Comfort Cases UK, which provides backpacks filled with personal care items to children entering the foster care system.

Andy, who was in foster care as a child, explained how he had benefited from projects which aim to end the practice of children going into care having to pack their belongings in a bin liner.

He said: “One of my earliest memories was coming home and finding all my stuff shoved into giant, clear, plastic sacks. That image holds a lot of power over me.”

Diamond said: “Mitzvah Day and Mitzvah Moments provide us with the opportunity to join hands with our neighbours and celebrate the real difference we can make.”