The first ever “mitzvah moments” day has been held to help vulnerable families in desperate need.

Doing a “mitzvah” or small act of kindness to others is a blessing that we all strive for, as north London’s Jewish community will tell you.

But anyone can join in, whatever their faith or even none.

One group of interfaith volunteers, charity workers, town councillors, schoolchildren and youngsters with learning disabilities came together to do just that and support vulnerable families.

They held a “Mitzvah Moments” drive at Borehamwood’s Double Tree Hilton hotel, packing items donated by wellwishers for the Sebby’s Corner and Comfort Cases UK charities.

“Every small donation makes a big difference,” Comfort Cases chief executive Sara Laster said. “Times are hard for us all at the moment, but never more so for the children we support.

“Small charities are filling the gaps of underfunded public services. Together we can do so much more.”

Comfort Cases provides backpacks with personal care items for young people entering the foster care system.

Sebby’s Corner charity recently opened a Barnet hub to help families in poverty, as well as helping domestic abuse victims, refugees and asylum seekers.

The Mitzvah Moments project began this year with members of Langdon Brady charity in Edgware and Hertsmere Mencap in Borehamwood using their regular arts and crafts sessions to write friendship messages, create birthday cards, paint bookmarks and design welcome gifts for families that are being supported.

Then around 50 others joined in to donate and pack items such as nappies, baby milk formula, washing powder, pyjamas, stationery, toiletries and books. They included Elstree and Borehamwood town mayor Rebecca Challice, Cllr Dan Ozarow and Mitzvah Day organiser Stuart Diamond.

Cllr Ozarow said: “Mitzvah Moments show we can try to repair the world every day of the year. Langdon Brady and Hertsmere Mencap members have extended the hand of friendship with the cards and bookmarks they’ve made for children they have never met.”

Mitzvah Day itself, with this year’s theme ‘repair the world’, is the UK’s largest faith-led day of social action, but nevertheless encouraging small acts of kindness all year round.