A group of volunteers from across the faith spectrum were joined by Bob Blackman MP as they filled 40 wheelbarrows of weeds and 10 bags of rubbish, tidying the walled rose garden in Canons Park.
The special project was part of the month leading up to Mitzvah Day – the UK’s largest faith-led day of social action – which this year celebrates its 20th anniversary, and was a chance for six different communities to put this year’s theme of ‘building bridges’ into action.
Those taking part included members of Stanmore & Canons Park Synagogue, Mosaic Liberal Synagogue, Mosaic Reform Synagogue, the Hindu Shree Kutch Leva Patel Community, St William of York Roman Catholic Church and the Friends of Canons Park (a mixed community group of all faiths and none).
Joined by Bob Blackman MP, Cllr Zak Wagman and Mitzvah Day Founder and Chair Laura Marks CBE, the group of 40 volunteers weeded, swept, raked leaves, tidied overgrown flower beds and planted more than 100 daffodils to get everything ready for the winter months ahead.
Bob Blackman MP, who is a long-term supporter of Mitzvah Day, both in his constituency and on the national stage, said: “This year marks 20 years of Mitzvah Day – that’s 20 years of building bridges between communities, generations and families.
“At a time when the world feels fragile and antisemitism is on the rise, the values of Mitzvah Day are more vital than ever. As the Member of Parliament for Harrow East, I am proud to have joined in year after year and thank all those involved in organising and running these important events.”
The gardening event was organised by Corinne Linskell, the Mitzvah Day Coordinator for Stanmore & Canons Park Synagogue.
She said: “This inter- and intra-faith gardening project was a special way to kick off our Mitzvah Day activities. It was inspiring to see volunteers from different faiths, and across generations, working side by side to help the environment, strengthen the bonds between our communities and make new ones.
“Mitzvah Day is about bringing people together, but it’s also about connection… something we all achieved in spades!”
To register to take part in this year’s Mitzvah Day, please visit here