Residents, workers and children are planning volunteering projects for a day of social action next month.

Mitzvah Day, of which the Recorder is a media partner, is a Jewish-led day of community activity where people give up their time, instead of money, to benefit local people.

Pupils at Ilford Jewish Primary School are collecting toys for Camp Simcha, which supports children in hospital suffering from cancer or other life-threatening illnesses.

They are also gather warm winter clothes for the Salvation Army to give to homeless people in the borough.

On November 16 the school choir will be entertaining care home residents and pupils will be joined by friends from Avanti Court Primary School and Ilford North MP Lee Scott.

The Chigwell and Hainault League of Jewish Women will be celebrating Mitzvah Day on November 25 with a tea party at Jubilee Lodge.

The party, with entertainment and sing-alongs, will raise money for Vitalise, which provides respite and holidays for disabled people and their carers.

Service provider Norwood is throwing a party for children with learning disabilities in the Redbridge Family Centre.

Staff and volunteers are collecting toiletries for cancer charity Marie Curie at the centre and outside Sainsbury’s in Ilford.

Mitzvah Day expects to attract 25,000 volunteers across the country. To get involved, visit www.mitzvahday.org.uk.