King Charles's coronation will spark celebrations across the UK and beyond

A charity says nearly 40,000 volunteering events will take place on Monday to mark King Charles III’s coronation.

The events will be held as part of the Big Help Out, a nationwide day of volunteering organised to coincide with the coronation and long bank holiday.

Some 6.5 million people will volunteer on the day, the charity claims.

The Big Help Out – which people can sign up for on a dedicated app or online – comes at a time when charities have been under significant pressure to fill gaps created by the cost of living crisis and government cuts.

Brendan Cox, co-founder of the Together Coalition, which is helping organise the Big Help Out, said: “The scale of response has taken our breath away.”

He added: “The coronation is going to be a huge weekend and the Big Help will help ensure its legacy doesn’t end when the bunting comes down.”

Organisers are hoping the event will attract people back to volunteering after a fall in numbers since Covid-19.

However grassroots organisations said that since the end of lockdown, enthusiasm among volunteers – particularly professionals – has plummeted, while the cost of living crisis has made it harder for people on lower incomes to help.