Thousands of Londoners will join The Big Help Out on Monday to create a volunteering legacy from the Coronation weekend.
Organisers hope the day of volunteering on the special bank holiday will inspire the public to help out in their communities throughout the summer.
Buckingham Palace said the day “will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas”. Stuart Andrew, minister for ceremonial events, said it was a tribute to “the King’s lifetime of public service and a wonderful way to begin this new age”.
More than 1,500 charities are involved in The Big Help Out and several members of the royal family will take part.
The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will be at a puppy class at the Guide Dogs training centre in Reading; the Princess Royal and Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence will attend a civic service recognising volunteers at Gloucester Cathedral; and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester will meet young volunteers at a Coronation party at St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church in Kensington.
A Palace spokesman said polling suggested that about 6.5 million people plan to take part in The Big Help Out. Food charities hope it will help to recruit a new wave of food bank, surplus food and community kithen volunteers. The Felix Project, FareShare, City Harvest, and London Community Kitchen launched a community food push last week, backed by anti-poverty campaigner Jack Monroe.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby said he is “delighted” to support The Big Help Out as “helping others is a key theme of the Coronation weekend”. He added: “Let’s build a legacy of love for one another.”
Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis KBE urged everyone to “take part in this day of national volunteering”.
Radha Mohan das, a Hindu representative based at the Bhaktivedanta Manor Temple, a Hertfordshire mansion in 78 acres donated by the late George Harrison, called The Big Help Out “a fantastic initiative”.
Aliya Azam MBE, an interfaith co-ordinator at the Al-Khoei Foundation which organises The Big Iftar during Ramadan, said “even the smallest acts of kindness can make a big difference”.
Brendan Cox, who co-founded the Together Coalition which is organising the event, said: “The UK’s faith communities excel at volunteering and bringing people together. That’s why we are excited about what they can and will contribute to The Big Help Out.”
