'Festival of Volunteering' Announced To Mark King Charles' Coronation

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It will highlight the positive impact volunteering has on communities across the nation

People are being encouraged to spend a day volunteering in their local community, as part of celebrations for King Charles III's Coronation.

Organised by The Together Coalition and 25 of the UK's biggest charities, The Big Help Out will take place on Monday 8th May 2023 and will highlight the positive impact volunteering has on communities across the nation. From rolling up your sleeves to help a local group, to volunteering at a food bank, this is the chance to lend a hand in your neighbourhood.

A statement on royal.uk says: "In tribute to His Majesty The King's public service, The Big Help Out will encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas. The aim of The Big Help Out is to use volunteering to bring communities together and create a lasting volunteering legacy from the Coronation Weekend."

From Monday 20th March, The Big Help Out will list the many ways you can make a difference to your local area. "Many of our best known charities are already signed up and we're looking to thousands more to join, whether you’re national or just in one area," the organisers say.

It's the biggest ever promotion of volunteering, with a key aim to make it easy for anyone interested in volunteering to get their first taster experience. Charities taking part include The British Red Cross, The National Trust, Cats Protection, British Heart Foundation, the RSPCA, and many others.

Elsewhere, the Palace also announced that a Big Coronation Lunch is set to take place on Sunday 7th May 2023, in a nationwide act of celebration and friendship. Overseen and organised by the Big Lunch team at the Eden Project, it will bring millions of people together to boost community spirit, reduce loneliness, and support charities and good causes. Time to prep those street party plans...

The Coronation Gin is the latest creation from Gin In A Tin, made in collaboration with Historic Royal Palaces. We love the beautiful design, which features a magnificent gold foiled crown, adorned with the iconic symbols of the four nations of the United Kingdom: a classic English rose, a traditional Scottish thistle, a springtime Welsh daffodil and the delicate Irish shamrock.

Upon sipping, you will notice distinctive notes of coriander, cardamom, lemon peel and botanicals centred around juniper berries. This tipple makes for the ultimate royal celebration drink, particularly when making a classic gin cocktail.

Raise your cuppa to our new King with Emma Bridgewater's commemorative mug. Perfect for fans to snap up in time for the Coronation.

Keep your teabags safe and secure in this colourful caddy. Featuring King Charles' official cypher and rows of miniature crowns, it's available to purchase for just £10.

This fabulous appliquéd and hand-embroidered cushion celebrates the Coronation in style. A beautiful keepsake to treasure for years to come.

This commemorative mug features the words 'King Charles Coronation' and includes an illustration of a crown surrounded by Union Jack flags. It's perfect to add to your Coronation memorabilia collection.

Featuring King Charles' official cypher, this handprinted mug from Etsy is a wonderful keepsake for the coronation of the King.

These stylish crown studs are an original design by jewellery artist Francesca Stella, hand-crafted in her studio in Cornwall using your choice of ethical gold.

The design is available exclusively on the Country Living Marketplace and can have the Coronation commemorative hallmark applied to them upon request before purchase.

Raise your morning coffee to our new King with Emma Bridgewater's appropriate 1/2 pint mug.

Printed and made in Great Britain, this Coronation commemorative tea towel celebrates King Charles III's favourite flower, the Delphinium, and his love of nature. It's made from 100% sustainably farmed cotton and is printed using reactive inks that are free from harmful chemicals.

Don't start your Coronation party without these Union Jack bunting napkins from Emma Bridgewater.

Protect your coffee table from spills and stains with this King Charles III coaster. Made from beech, it features the King's official cypher.

We love this commemorative mug which features an official portrait of King Charles III. It's the perfect souvenir to get your hands on ahead of the Coronation.

Enjoy your morning brew in this King Charles III Coronation mug. Embellished with 22 carat gold, it features the silhouette of the King on the front and back, and is decorated with vine motifs and a beautiful deep blue colour.

This commemorative tea towel features an official portrait of the King alongside the words 'King Charles III, 8th September 2022'.

Hang this King Charles Coronation flag at your street party to celebrate our new monarch.

Give your kitchen cupboards the royal treatment with this set of two King and Queen mug from Emma Bridgewater. Each set comes presented in a box.

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