VOLUNTEERS bearing cakes and biscuits, arrived at the Alexandra Hospital in Redditch to serve free refreshments to the patients, visitors, and staff.
They came from all over Worcestershire, and were representatives from four different faiths – Christians, Jews, Muslims, and Baha’is.
The occasion was Mitzvah Day, a Jewish-led day of social action.
It brings together thousands of people worldwide, people of all faiths and none, to give their time to make a difference to the community around them.
Over 40,000 volunteers around the world will give their time to help others on and around Mitzvah Day, with events and projects being held in countries including India, Poland, Germany, Australia, and Rwanda.
Coun Bill Hartnett visited the Alex alongside Simon Murphy, deputy chair of Worcestershire Acute Hospitals Trust Board, Coun Joanna Kane and Coun Ian Woodall.
Coun Harriet said: “It was a joyous afternoon on Sunday at the Alex Hospital to meet up to join a multi faith group to celebrate the annual Mitzvah Day – ‘mitzvah’ means doing good deeds.
“We gave away tea, coffee, cake and biscuits to our brilliant NHS staff and patients and visitors, and we got lots of smiles given in return.”
Nicholas Lechmere, Deputy Lieutenant of Worcestershire, also visited the hospital.
He said: “As a member of the Worcester Interfaith Forum, I was thrilled to represent the Lord Lieutenant and through the King at the Mitzvah tea party.
“It could not have gone better.
“We served hundreds of hot beverages and mountains of cakes to anybody and everybody.
“We were a very happy mixture of many different faiths working together for the common good. In these troubled times it was a great pleasure to stand side by side with Muslims, Jews, Christians, and Baha’is to name a few.
“Thank you to Yvonne who made it all possible and to all the people who helped.”
This Mitzvah Day event was organised by Yvonne Stollard on behalf of the Worcestershire Interfaith Forum.
