Bank holiday ‘Big Help Out’ attracts six million volunteers

MORE than six million people are expected to join the Big Help Out today as the Prime Minister described the initiative as a volunteering legacy for the Coronation.

Just two days after the King was crowned at Westminster Abbey, the nation will join members of the Royal family in giving up their time to support various charities across the UK.

Rishi Sunak said that he hopes the community volunteering taking place over the bank holiday will be “part of the legacy of this historic moment of national unity” and inspire people to continue in the years ahead.

There are more than 52,000 registered Big Help Out events set to happen across the country today.

This includes a Scouts taster session at Wembley Stadium and a Welsh beach clean-up with the Most Revd Andrew John, Archbishop of Wales.

More than 33,000 charitable organisations are taking part in the scheme, which was devised by the heads of the Scouts and the Royal Voluntary Service alongside Buckingham Palace to celebrate the Coronation.

The day is aimed at inspiring people to try volunteering, with the hope of developing a new generation of good Samaritans.

The newly crowned King and Queen will not take part in any volunteering today, although they said they “wholly support” the event.

Meanwhile, other members of the Royal family have confirmed they will be taking part, including the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, as well as the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence, her husband.

Brendan Cox, co-founder of the Together Coalition, which has helped organise the day, said it has become “an unprecedented festival of volunteering”. He added: “With eight million opportunities to take part in, there is something for every interest.

“Volunteering is the glue that holds communities together and there’s no better time to get involved”.

The Prime Minister said that the scheme represented a “chance for everyone to come together to mark His Majesty’s Coronation” and said that community spirit “binds us and makes us stronger as a country”.

Mr Sunak will be taking part in the Big Help Out by rolling up his sleeves at a lunch club.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, will also be among those volunteering today. He will join the NHS Volunteer Responders programme with a “Coronation Call”.

The Leader of the Opposition will be one of many picking up the phone and speaking to a member of the public, who may be elderly or living alone and would benefit from a friendly chat.

He said: “At the heart of the Coronation is a commitment to service … the Big Help Out is a welcome focus on the unsung heroes who power so much of our country ... I’m pleased to be joining millions of others in taking part.”

Mark Drakeford, the First Minister of Wales, will be volunteering at a charity shop while Humza Yousaf, Scotland’s First Minister, will be helping out at a community larder.

The initiative is also being supported by faith leaders across the country, including the Most Revd Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and Sir Ephraim Mirvis, the Chief Rabbi.

Archbishop Welby encouraged people to “build a legacy of love for one another” through the initiative.

He said: “Helping others is a key theme of the Coronation weekend, and why I’m so delighted to support the Big Help Out.

“I joyfully encourage everyone to help out in all kinds of creative ways.”

Sir Ephraim said: “May The Big Help Out be a source of inspiration and hope and may it strengthen the bonds that unite us as a people.”