VOLUNTEERS DO LOTS OF GOOD DEEDS FOR MITZVAH DAY

From today's Leicester Mercury:

Volunteers do lots of good deeds for Mitzvah Day 

Generous shoppers at three supermarkets donated toiletries to help those in need yesterday. 

The event, organised as part of international Mitzvah Day, saw volunteers from Leicester's Jewish community and other faiths join forces to help the elderly and those living in safe houses after escaping domestic violence. 

Instead of asking for money, volunteers asked shoppers at Asda Fosse Park, Asda Oadby and Waitrose in Oadby to donate items such as shampoo, soap and toothpaste. 

The donated items will go to domestic violence victims being supported by Women's Aid Leicestershire and Action Homeless, and to elderly people at a care home. 

Mitzvah is a Hebrew word meaning "a good deed". 

Riaz Ravat, of St Philip's Centre, a multi-faith charity in Evington which helped organise it, said: "Mitzvah Day is a significant day in the year, which coincides with the start of national Inter Faith Week."We hope that, in our own way, the faith communities of Leicestershire and our partners can provide some comfort to the weak and vulnerable in society."