Religious leaders and refugees came together on November 24 to mark Mitzvah Day in the Lake District. 

Mitzvah Day is a Jewish led interfaith day of social action. Abigail Mann has been running award-winning Mitzvah Day activities in Cumbria since 2017 and has helped to break down many barriers between various communities and religious groups.

This year mountain guides generously donated their time to take refugees from Afghanistan, Syria, Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Africa and Ukraine walking in the Lake District. The refugees, who did not all know each other, came together from different parts of Cumbria where they have been settled.

The day brought together communities in CumbriaThe day brought together communities in Cumbria (Image: Jonny Gios) Abigail strongly believes that Mitzvahs (acts of kindness) should be carried out 365 days of the year, which is why she continues to run regular outings for refugees in the Lake District throughout the year.

She said: "I’m struck by the generosity of our local community here in Cumbria. They show so much support for this vulnerable group of people. Events such as these provide an opportunity for refugees to integrate with members of the community with whom they would not ordinarily meet. It is a privilege to be able to help create new and happy memories for a group of people who have experienced such indescribable horror."

Afternoon tea at Rose Castle was generously donated for 100 guests by the Rose Castle Foundation. Stuart Diamond, the CEO of Mitzvah Day, travelled from London just to be at the tea.

The walk finished with tea and cake at Rose CastleThe walk finished with tea and cake at Rose Castle (Image: Jonny Gios) He, along with Julie Minns MP, local dignitaries and clergy met the refugee families in what was a unique opportunity for everyone to not only forge closer friendships with each other, but to embrace their similarities as well.

Stuart Diamond CEO of Mitzvah Day says: "Mitzvah Day is a unique opportunity to bring people together. We’re thrilled to see communities across Cumbria unite to make a difference. It’s a testament to the power of human kindness and the importance of social action. By uniting people of all faiths and backgrounds, we're building stronger communities and a more compassionate world. Let’s continue to strive for a stronger together future."