Leyton Orient footballers visited a Jewish care centre for Mitzvah day yesterday.
Leyton Orient Captain Nathan Clarke and first year professional Scott Kashket paid a visit to residents of Jewish Care’s Vi & John Rubens House in Clarence Avenue, Barkingside.
Both Clarke, 31, and Kashket, 18, met with the residents, talking to them whilst posing for photos.
100-year-old Jewish Care resident and life-long Orient fan Leslie Richmond always looks forward to the visit, which has now taken place on an annual basis for five years.
Captain Clarke said: “It was good to spend time with Leslie we talked about past games he could remember and also the current season.
“Visits like this give us a chance to get out into the community, meet people we wouldn’t normally meet and its good for them to see different people.”
Howard Gould, Orient’s community liaison manager began organising the annual visit five years ago following a conversation with Leyton Orient fan and Director of Jewish Care Neil Taylor.
Mr Gould said: “When Neil approached me about paying a Mitzvah Day visit to the home I didn’t hesitate.
“I am Jewish and so I understand the relevance of Mitzvah Day, the idea of doing something for someone else.
“Any vehicle to raise awareness of the idea of doing good deeds is to be encouraged. This annual visit is something the residents and players look forward to and it’s good to be back here.”
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