Thank holiday
Give something back to Britain today and join TV’s Anneka in Big Help Out
After a weekend of celebration and over-indulgence for many, today is the ideal day to give something back in the wake of King Charles III’ Coronation.
Whether it’s litter-picking after the thousands of street parties or volunteering in a charity shop, there are numerous ways to take part in today’s Big Help Out.
“The thing about need is if you look for it, you’ll find it everywhere,” says Anneka Rice as the presenter takes a quick breather from chopping cabbages.
She is preparing 5,000 meals at the Felix Project, a food hub based in Poplar, East London, that collects high-quality food from restaurants and turns it into meals for the hungry.
“If you open your eyes, you’ll always find someone who is in need of help,” says the former Treasure Hunt star.
Anneka, 64, is taking part in the festival of volunteering, which aims to bring together millions of people across the
UK to help out in their local communities on Bank Holiday Monday today.
Launched by adventurer
Bear Grylls, it kicks off a summer of doing good, with the help of The Big
Help Out app, which offers more than eight million opportunities for people to get involved on the day. Volunteering comes naturally to Anneka, whose Challenge Anneka TV series was all about making a difference to local projects using volunteers’ expertise and passion.
“I remember my first ever project was aged eight, when we used to knock on people’s doors for a bob-a-job,” she laughs.
“I remember getting very engaged in my local community, chatting to elderly people and getting to know them.
“Later, when I was working in Hong Kong aged 19 or 20, there were people pouring into Hong Kong from Vietnam.”
She adds: “It was such a parallel to what’s happening now with people arriving to UK shores on small boats, absolutely destitute, and that’s when my proper volunteering started. I saw the need, the desperation, and how one of us can make a tiny difference, but it’s a start.
“If everyone makes a tiny difference then it builds up to make a big difference.” Even Anneka admits it’s hard not to be overwhelmed by the sheer number of people currently in need.
“It’s utterly depressing,” she admits. “But there’s a lovely quote from Piglet by AA Milne, which says: ‘Piglet was so excited at the idea of being useful that he forgot to be frightened any more’. A lot of people feel better if they reach out.
“It makes them feel better about themselves and it’s about being part of a team.”