Leading faith figures in the UK are calling on people to volunteer on the bank holiday Monday after the coronation weekend, including the Archbishop of Canterbury, Chief Rabbi, and prominent figures from the Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and Buddhist communities.
The Big Help Out volunteering project on May 8 aims to inspire and recruit a new generation of volunteers by showing how easy it is to become involved.
The project offers opportunities to work with the Scouts, Royal Voluntary Service, Guide Dogs and the smallest local volunteering groups.
The Archbishop, Chief Rabbi and other faith and community leaders will visit The Passage, a charity for the homeless in central London, on Wednesday to encourage people to take part in The Big Help Out.
The group will help to sort donated clothing and serve food to the homeless.
The Muslim leader at the Canary Wharf Multifaith Chaplaincy has voiced support for the project.
Also onboard is the general secretary of the Hindu Council UK, president of the Hindu Forum of Britain, director of the Network of Sikh Organisations, head monk of the London Buddhist Vihara, and chief Sangha Nayaka of Britain have all voiced their support for the project.
“Volunteering is a vital part of our faith and values,” said Sheikh Abdul Qayum, Muslim chaplain at the Canary Wharf Multifaith Chaplaincy.
“It is a way to serve and support our communities and to demonstrate our commitment to making a positive difference in the world.”
Shaykha Saleha Islam, member of the Board of Scholars at The Muslim Law (Shariah) Council UK, told The National: "As Independent Faith Leaders of the Muslim community, we urge Britons to volunteer for collective community work which would be in the interest of serving humanity. This is supported by Islam".
The Big Help Out has also received support from the Bishop of the Ukrainian Church in London and the chief executive of Humanists UK.
“By taking part in The Big Help Out campaign, volunteering our time and energy, we can make a positive impact on our communities, help those in need and promote social cohesion,” said Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis.
“I urge everyone, regardless of their faith or background, to embrace this opportunity and take part in this day of national volunteering.”
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Royal enthusiasts at their impromptu campsite on The Mall in London, where they await the May 6 coronation procession of King Charles III. Getty -
Police officers patrol near Westminster Abbey as security is heightened for the coronation. AFP -
A telephone box in the village of Compton, Surrey, decorated with the ears, nose and crown of King Charles. AFP -
A royal fan takes a break after booking his spot on the coronation route in London. AP -
Town crier Tony Appleton takes the train into central London. AFP -
The drum major's state coat, adorned with the new CR III cypher, to be worn during the coronation. AFP -
Decorations are put up outside Number 10 Downing Street in London. AP -
A royal fan gets into the spirit of the coronation on the Mall outside Buckingham Palace. Reuters -
Yeoman of the Guard, the British sovereign's bodyguards, prepare to board a bus in London. Getty -
The UK's military held a full dress rehearsal for the coronation ceremony of King Charles III on Tuesday night. Reuters -
A royal fan sleeps at The Mall outside Buckingham Palace as the countdown to the coronation continues. Reuters -
Big Ben, in central London, is lit up during a rehearsal for the ceremony. PA -
An art installation in London depicts St Edward's Crown. AP -
Madame Tussauds in Sydney, Australia, unveils a waxwork figure of King Charles, alongside figures of Prince William and his wife Kate. Reuters -
Royalists have slept out on The Mall in London for days for the best view of the ceremony. EPA -
A knitted coronation-themed postbox topper in Isleworth, London. AP -
Tailor William Skinner with a ceremonial uniform on Savile Row, London, before the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, on May 6. Reuters -
Caroline de Guitaut, deputy surveyor of the King's Works of Art, adjusts the imperial mantle, a part of the coronation vestments, in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace. AFP -
A banner celebrating the coronation at Kings Cross Station in London. AP -
Upholsterer Beatrice Ekwalla works on restoring a throne chair for the coronation at the Marlborough House workshops in London. AFP -
Royal fan Margaret Tyler poses for a portrait in the living room of her home in north London. EPA -
Parliament Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle with the Speaker's State Coach. PA -
Violinist Adrianna Forbes-Dorant, 17, takes part in a rehearsal with the Brixton Chamber Orchestra for coronation performances in London. AP -
British Army soldiers rehearse at RAF Odiham for a coronation parade. Getty -
Shoppers browse souvenirs for the coronation of King Charles III outside the Houses of Parliament in London. Reuters -
Temporary stands are constructed on The Mall outside Buckingham Palace, central London. PA -
Members of the military pass by Westminster Abbey in central London during a night-time rehearsal for the coronation. AP -
Britain's Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, attends a Coronation Big Lunch at Westminster Abbey. Reuters -
The London Scottish Band in Burlington Arcade, London, at an unveiling of a celebratory installation to mark the coronation. PA -
A crown is placed on top of a flagpole on The Mall in London. Getty Images -
The official 'Crowning of the King' souvenir programme sits on a shop shelf in central London. AFP -
Workers prepare the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the big event. AFP -
Ardent monarchist Anita Atkinson sits among her 13,283 pieces of royal memorabilia at her Weardale farm near Bishop Auckland. AFP -
Members of the Household Cavalry take part in a rehearsal for the coronation at Buckingham Palace. Getty Images -
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla will travel to the coronation in the modern Diamond Jubilee State Coach and return in the Gold State Coach, pictured. PA -
A potter works on chinaware produced for the coronation at a factory in Stoke-on-Trent. AFP -
The Coronation Chair, also known as St Edward's Chair or King Edward's Chair, at Westminster Abbey in London. AFP -
King Charles is presented with the first struck £5 coronation coin by Royal Mint chief executive Anne Jessopp and director Rebecca Morgan at Windsor Castle. Reuters -
The first struck £5 coronation coin. Reuters -
A member of staff at Fudge Kitchen puts up bunting in Windsor. PA -
A crown made by British milliner Justin Smith, created using 319 Scrabble tiles to mark the board game's 75th anniversary and the coronation. PA -
People browse a souvenir kiosk in London. Reuters -
The new commemorative 50p coin, part of the coronation coin collection. PA
The project has been welcomed by many as an opportunity to bring together people from different faiths and backgrounds to work towards a common goal.
“Faith communities are a vital part of the volunteering landscape in the UK,” said Brendan Cox, co-founder of the Together Coalition, which is organising The Big Help Out.
“Their tireless work and dedication to helping others is an inspiration to us all.
“We are excited to have their support for The Big Help Out, and we hope that their involvement will encourage people of all faiths and none to get involved and make a difference in their communities.”
The coronation weekend celebrates the anointing of King Charles III to serve others, and The Big Help Out aims to build on this by inspiring a new generation of volunteers to support their communities.
Organisers are calling on everyone to embrace this opportunity to come together and build a legacy of love.
