Nick de Bois showed his support for the North London Hospice by getting stuck into a stint at its Enfield Town shop.

The Enfield North MP was set to work steaming clothes, sorting bags of donations and serving customers on the shop floor of the Church Road branch on Friday.

After the shift, completed as part of Hospice Care Week, Mr de Bois said: “The guys here are the real heroes. It’s a really great thing what they do and we encourage more people to take up volunteering.”

Victoria Jerome, who has been volunteering tirelessly five days a week for 14 years, believed the MP had passed the test despite some labelling and colour co-ordination issues.

She said: “I thought he did really well; he passed with flying colours in the end.”

Mr de Bois said he had good fun in the shop. He added: “They told me off when I used the labelling gun, but I discovered I am a born steamer.”

Remzi Salih, relief manager for the hospice, said: “I think it’s great that he’s made the effort to come down and help us. It will provide some really important publicity for the hospice and its work."

Victoria, from Old Park Ridings near Enfield Town, also hopes that the visit will help boost support for the charity. She added: “I love working here with the volunteers, hopefully this will help us."

Mr de Bois also offered to help Victoria find paid work by acting as a referee for any applications she submits.

The North London Hospice specialises in providing services for sufferers of life-limiting illnesses who require special needs, enabling them to live their lives in the fullest way possible.