Faith communities and activists from all over the UK played a significant part in volunteering activities for the Big Help Out, the impact of which is expected to resonate long after the Coronation Bank Holiday weekend. Thousands of events and initiatives were organised across the country, as community leaders from Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, Christian and all other faiths embraced the community spirit.
Sukhbir Singh, Founder of Feed My City – a British Sikh community charity), said: “Feed My City as part of the #TheBigHelpOut Coronation celebrations of our King Charles, have provided hundreds of hot meals to faith organisations, community groups, homeless shelters and street parties in Greater Manchester!
“We are proud of our inspirational, amazing volunteers who work so hard and joining in the festivities to celebrate the Coronation.”
Gurpreet Singh Anand, Chair of the Central Gurdwara (Khalsa Jatha) London (Sikh Temple), said the group prepared 150 hot meals for the homeless to be distributed by its partners NishkamSWAT.
MORE LIKE THIS…
Harsha Jani, Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh (HSS) UK Outreach team, said they had nine branches from across the nation to help out at old people homes, clean churchyards, litter collection and deliver warm curry to people in need.
“Above all, they made a difference, putting smiles on faces,” she said.
Some examples of faith-led Big Help Out events included:
Free health screening checks for the community led by volunteers from BAPS Charities
The clean up of the area surrounding the bowling green at a local Bowling & Croquet Club and spruce up of the clubhouse led by the HSS UK Volunteers in Barnet
The serving of 300+ hot meals, tea and coffee, non-perishables and provisions to the homeless community and anyone in need in London by NishkamSWAT
Food preparation and delivery to those in need led by the Sikh charity Feed My City Manchester
The cooking and packaging of hundreds of hot meals to be distributed to the homeless in London led by Central Gurdwara London
MORE LIKE THIS…
Zaki Cooper, who led the mobilisation of faith communities for the Big Help Out, said: “The UK’s range of faith communities did amazing volunteering today as part of the Big Help Out. They donated and distributed food, collected old clothes as well as organised tree planting, litter picks and even a beach clean-up in Wales. Inspired by their religious obligations to do good and to build a better society, they volunteered in very high numbers.
“They were also moved to be active in tribute to the King, who has been so passionate in cultivating strong relationships with all Britain’s different faith communities. They helped to make the Big Help Out even bigger and better, and to enhance community spirit. By focusing on what we have in common rather than what divides us, we are so much stronger as a nation.”
*Info: The Big Help Out
