Organiser Jessica Bernstein said the community proved the doubters wrong with their response.

From food collections outside Rosemans to toy and clothes collections at Harold House, Jessica and her small team were amazed at the reaction.

She said: " It was better than we expected both in terms of people and donations. It shows how well a small community can pull together. I even received a message from the national organiser saying he was overwhelmed."

Toys went to Zoe's Place hospice and Alder Hey children's hospital, there were food parcels for disadvantaged people, cakes for Stapely residents and Chanucah cards for Israeli soldiers. Clothes and cooks were distributed to needy causes.

Tegan Grugel decorates a cake for Stapely residents

JLGB members visited Stapley on Monday.

Residents were treated to a drill exhibition by the youth movement and visitors were encouraged to join in.

The winner of the visitors' competition was Julian Levene, son of resident Esther Levene.

Jake Blumenow's sing-a-long prompted residents to get up and dance.

Stapley president Carole Wiseman said: "This was the best thing that has happened at Stapley for many years".

STAPELY VISIT: The whole of the JLGB unit at Stapley

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD: Organiser Jessica Bernstein with volunteers Johnny Cohen and Tracy Hool collect food outside Roseman's Delicatessen