Hundreds of organisations are calling for the Government to create a new annual “thank” holiday next year.
They would like the extra day off to thank the Queen for her 70 years of incredible service and to celebrate the quiet hard work of local volunteers.
Here, Bear Grylls OBE, Chief Scout, explains why it should happen...
In every community, there are unsung heroes quietly making them great places to live. These are the helpers, the organisers, the volunteers and change makers who think of others before themselves.
It’s their kindness that makes communities strong. But they’re not the sort of people to show off. They just keep going, day in day out. I admire that. But they deserve our thanks too.
That’s why, in this jubilee year, hundreds of organisations from the Scouts and Girlguiding to the Royal Voluntary Service and Confederation of British Industry are calling on the Government to create a new Bank Holiday from 2023.
This is a day for everyone; for people to get together with friends and neighbours, to say thank you and celebrate the generosity that lies at the heart of communities. People can spend it how they like – helping others or taking a well-earned rest, together.
The campaign comes ahead of the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne on February 6, 1952. That’s 70 years of incredible service.
So the Thank Holiday would recognise her extraordinary dedication, and say thank you to the millions of others who do so much, with much less recognition. In Scouts alone, we have over 150,000 volunteers helping young people gain skills for life.
This Thank Holiday can only happen if we all get behind it.
It’s a day to get to know each other better, to be thankful, celebrate our differences and appreciate what we’ve got in common. Above all, it’s a chance to get together and reconnect.
Now’s the time for us to champion those who step up in our communities. Let’s ask for a special day to honour them.
You can add your backing here
