Volunteers joined hundreds of people across the globe in a day dedicated to giving back to the community.

Workers in three parts of the borough took part in SEWA Day, held in 17 countries, and focused on helping those around you for no reward.

Organised on Sunday September 25 for the first time in Croydon by Kedar Shukla, 30, a youth worker volunteer with Thornton Heath group Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh, the day saw around 40 people take part.

Mr Shukla, of South Croydon, said: “The concept of SEWA is selflessly giving and we want to promote that so it becomes embedded in communities’ cultures. It shouldn’t be something that happens once a year, it should become part of the day to day.”

Workers cleared rubbish from an un-tended part of Matthews Gardens, New Addington, worked to improve a nature reserve Purple Haze, also in New Addington, and spent the day at Tudor House care home, South Croydon.

Mr Shukla, who was at Tudor House, said: “It was a humbling experience, the best part was volunteers ranged in age from ten to fifty, so it really was the whole community.”