Religious leaders volunteer at Marie Curie Hospice

A host of public figures, including the Chief Rabbi, Lord Jonathan Sacks volunteered at the Marie Curie Hospice, Hampstead yesterday (20 November 2011) as part of Mitzvah Day, the Jewish community’s national day of volunteering.

Mitzvah Day, literally meaning "good deed" is a day of social action and saw thousands of people taking part in hands on projects to support charities and communities across the UK.

Volunteers at the Marie Curie Hospice, Hampstead who cleared leaves, planted daffodils and painted three rooms included the Chief Rabbi, Lord Jonathan Sacks, the Ambassador of Israel; Daniel Taub, Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, Head of the Movement for Reform Judaism; Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, Head of the Assembly of Masorti Synagogues; Rabbi Danny Rich, Chief Executive, Liberal Judaism; Baroness Julia Neuberger; The Revd Dr Toby Howarth, Secretary for Inter Religious Affairs to the Archbishop of Canterbury and National Inter Religious Affairs Adviser for the Church of England;  Arjan Vikaria, President and Trustee of the Hindu Forum of Britain, Arup Ganguly, President of Sewa Day International and Shaykh Muhammad Yazdani from the London Fatwah Council.

Thomas Hughes-Hallett, Chief Executive of Marie Curie Cancer Care said: “Mitzvah Day has brought together people of all ages and faiths at the Marie Curie Hospice, Hampstead and the time and effort they have volunteered is just fantastic. The Hospice relies on the support of volunteers all year round and we hope this initiative will inspire more people to support their local hospice in this way.”

The Marie Curie Hospice, Hampstead provides expert care and the best possible quality of life, for people with terminal cancer and other illnesses and support for their families, completely free of charge. The Hospice offers a range of services including In-patient care, complimentary therapies, social, spiritual and bereavement support.

Find out more about Marie Curie Hospice, Hampstead