Times & Independent Series reporters swapped shorthand pads for black bin bags as they sorted through second-hand clothes to give to charity.

The team took part in this year’s Mitzvah Day scheme with Emmanuel Church, in Edgware, and Edgware Masorti Synagogue.

Chief reporter Anna Slater, Borehamwood reporter Vickiie Oliphant, Enfield reporter Charlie Peat, Haringey reporter Aime Williams and Barnet reporter James Caven headed to Emmanuel Church to meet the volunteers at 10am yesterday.

They helped fold and sort through bags of toys and clothes that had been donated, before packing them into bags and hauling them over to Barnardos and All Aboard charity shops.

After a morning of hard work, the newsteam went to Edgware Masorti Synagogue to speak to children who had made cards, to send to children undergoing heart surgery at the Wolfson Centre, in Israel.

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Edgware Masorti and Emmanuel Church were named the winners of a Times & Independent Series competition to win help from the team of reporters for the day.

Ian Abraham, of the Edgware Masorti Synagoguge, who helped organise the events, said: “It’s the simple things we do that make a difference.

“Both communities probably wouldn’t cross paths but it was nice to integrate with people and toss our differences aside.

“Having the keen young reporters’ help also made a huge difference to the amount of bags we were able to pack throughout the day. We were thrilled to win the competition.”

Tope Teniola, a volunteer at Emmanuel Church, said: "It exceeded everybody's expectations. That warmth was amazing. We are ecstatic. We've got an even better rapport with the synagogue now, which is great.

"I feel a bit jetlagged today, but it was worth it."

Edgware Councillor Helena Hart also came to help sort through clothes.

Enfield reporter Charlie Peat said: “It was a wonderful day. It was only a few hours but knowing you’ve made a huge difference in your community is so rewarding.”

Vickiie Oliphant, who covers Borehamwood, added: “It’s so nice to get out and meet the people in the community we cover.

“I’ve enjoyed meeting people from both faith groups and lending a hand. It’s important to build bridges nowadays and I’m grateful to have been given this opportunity to help.”

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