THIS Sunday the country will mark something extraordinary – the 70th anniversary of the Queen’s reign.
And a host of celebrities are urging Sun readers to throw “Thank You” bashes with their friends and neighbours to honour Her Majesty’s life and achievements.
The plans for the national Thank You Day on Sunday, June 5, are being driven by the Together campaign – a coalition of organisations including the Scouts, the FA and the NHS, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby.
They want to see ten million people join together, not only to say thank you to the monarch for her lifetime of service but also to their neighbours, friends and local communities.
England footie manager Gareth Southgate, Bake Off judge Prue Leith, actor Ross Kemp and telly favourite Lorraine Kelly are just some of the big-name stars backing the drive.
The national Thank You Day was held for the first time last year to encourage communities to get together during Covid.
The organisers are marking the day this year during the bumper Bank Holiday weekend and want record numbers of you to turn out and party with your neighbours.
You may want to apply to your local council to hold a party in a closed-off street or just host a simple lunch or tea with friends or neighbours.
However big or small your event, the campaign aims to bring communities everywhere together.
Writing exclusively for The Celeb Report, here Match Of The Day host Gary Lineker explains why we should use this huge milestone in royal history to come together.
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We’re throne the biggest party ever for Her Maj
NEVER before in our country’s history have we reached such a milestone. It’s historic.
People might have different views about the monarchy as an institution, but I know of no one who doesn’t think the Queen represents the best of us.
Her service, her commitment, her strength in the face of both personal and national trials. She has been through it all.
She has been such a feature of our country’s life that she now captures so much of our national spirit at its best.
Our resilience, our commitment to look after each other, our kindness to those in need and our service.
And that’s why I want to invite you to a party.
To be exact, I want to invite you to what I hope will be the biggest party in the history of the country.
On Sunday, June 5, this year people up and down the country will gather for what we hope will be a nationwide Thank You Day.
Thank you first and foremost to the Queen for all that she has given our country.
But it will also be an opportunity to celebrate and thank each other — and all those who have served our communities, especially over the past few years.
From Scout leaders to local football coaches, NHS volunteers to the person on your street who did the shopping for a vulnerable neighbour, even family members who have been there for us when we needed them most.
We all have someone to thank.
So let’s throw the biggest Thank You party this country has ever seen.
In every street, village, town and city, let’s come together to say a huge thank you.
Through the Together Coalition we’ve already got the backing of some of Britain’s biggest and best-loved institutions, from the Scouts and Guides to the Rotary Club, the Royal Voluntary Service, the NHS, the Football Association, the National Lottery and the Church of England.
The list goes on. That’s a great start — but what we really need is YOU.
If we are going to break the record for the country’s biggest-ever party, we need everyone to join in.
So please put the date in your diary now — Sunday, June 5.
It will be the culmination of four days of fantastic celebration as we mark the Queen’s 70th Jubilee.
Let’s top it off with one absolutely enormous party. Something that we can all enjoy – whoever you are, wherever you live.
The main thing we’ll be doing is sharing big Jubilee lunches with neighbours, whether it’s a picnic, a barbecue, a few sandwiches, fish and chips or a curry.
But you can mark it however you want. What’s important is that we all get together.
So once you’ve got the date in the diary — get planning.
Find a mate to help you plan it, rope in the neighbours, reconnect with old friends, reach out to new ones and let’s come together as one great British community.
This is definitely about having a bit of fun — that’s the point — but it’s important, too.
One of the things we have all learned over the past couple of difficult years is how easy it is to take things for granted — things that really matter.
We want Thank You Day to be a reminder of what really matters: the millions of selfless acts that brighten a day.
We see that now — and it’s only right that we take time to show our appreciation for each other.
So let’s round off the Queen’s 70th Jubilee in style.
Let’s say the biggest Thank You this country has ever seen.
I’ll be there — I hope you are too.
See you on Sunday, June 5, and if you want more information and ideas for how to get involved, go to thankyouday.org.uk
