Redbridge schools, community centres and groups are signing up to join a Jewish-led day of social action in Redbridge.

Mitzvah Day, of which the Recorder is a media partner, aims to bring together people of different ages, faiths and walks of life to improve the community.

Pupils from Ilford Jewish Primary School in Carlton Drive, Barkingside, have already started collecting toys to donate to a children’s charity and will donate clothes to World Jewish Relief.

King Solomon High School in Forest Road, Barkingside; the Redbridge Jewish Community Centre in Woodford Bridge Road, Redbridge, and borough synagogues are planning projects.

The national day, on November 18, is in its eighth year and expects to attract 25,000 volunteers to support more than 800 projects across the country.

Mitzvah Day founder and chairman Laura Marks said: “We’ve been overwhelmed by the growing success of Mitzvah Day, which has become an established day of social action.

“We want to see different types of organisations, individuals and faith groups working together building stronger communities for today and for the future.”

This year’s event will coincide with the multi-faith project A Year of Service (AYOS).

Lead co-ordinator Dr Husna Ahmad said volunteer work helps “bond” different faith groups.

He added: “We encourage our communities across the UK to include people of all faiths and of no faith in our volunteering activities.”

The founding principle of Mitzvah Day is that time, not money, should be given to make a difference in the community. One project lined up is Give Away Your Lunch day, where office workers are encouraged to bring extra food to work to donate to homeless charities.

For information on Mitzvah Day or to get involved, visit www.mitzvahday.org.uk.