Thousands of people put others before themselves during an international day of good deeds.

Mitzvah Day, a creation of the London-based Jewish charity of the same name, encourages people of all faiths to do their bit for the community and take on some voluntary work for the day.

In north London, more than 200 separate events were organised around Sunday, November 18, with the charity this year urging people to focus on helping elderly people in the community.

See a gallery of Mitzvah Day pictures here.

Mitzvah Day founder Laura Marks said: “It’s been awe-inspiring to witness how participants give generously of their time simply because they wish to do good.

“Our volunteers return year on year because they’ve learned the value of collective social action and how it plays a strong part in repairing what is sometimes a broken world. 

“Equally, new participants are recruited because they are inspired by the example of community spirit and giving from so many.

“The values on which Mitzvah Day was founded remain rooted in the Jewish principles of gemilut chasadim (acts of loving-kindness), tzedek (justice) and tikkun olam (repairing the world).

“I believe it is because we remain committed to these that our projects continue to grow from strength to strength.”