Yahoo Finance Hearn leading national Miss Out to Help Out campaign championing volunteers and communities
Boxing promoter Eddie Hearn is leading a national campaign this week as volunteers across the UK are being celebrated as part of a new initiative from The National Lottery, ITV, STV and The National Lottery Community Fund.
Miss Out to Help Out is encouraging the public to miss out on their favourite TV shows and use that time to ‘help out’ in their community.
Hearn gave some of his time this week to participate in virtual volunteering for The Sporting Memories Foundation, a UK wide charity set up to tackle dementia, depression and loneliness by using the power of sport.
Acting as a session supporter, Hearn joined 12 members for a virtual support group designed to use the history and heritage of sport to help people reminisce, remain physically active and to reduce feelings of isolation and low mood.
The foundation is just one of the many thousands of community groups across the UK supported by some of the £30million raised by National Lottery players each week for good causes.
Hearn said: “Volunteering with The Sporting Memories Foundation this week was a really rewarding experience.
“To witness first-hand the impact, you can have on the wellbeing of an individual just by giving a small amount of your time to help out was so nice to see.
“I’d like to encourage everyone who has a bit of time to spare to go to MissOutTohelpOut.com to explore how they can support their local community.
“It’s amazing what you can do even in the time it takes to watch 12 rounds of boxing and the positive impact that you can have on the lives of others.”
Anyone interested in finding out how they can help in their local area – can visit MissOuttoHelpOut.com and see what is available in their community.
The campaign comes as a new report from The National Lottery shows that the work of volunteers is appreciated even more than usual due to the impact coronavirus has had on the UK.
The study of 6,000 adults revealed that admiration for volunteers has risen sharply this year - with the public comparing their role to that of NHS staff and key workers since the pandemic was declared.
“We are of course delighted that Eddie joined us in our online club," said Chris Wilkins, co-founder of Sporting Memories. "The time he has given has made it a very special session for our club members, leading to lots of lively conversation and insights into the world of boxing and sport promotion. Volunteers are our lifeblood, and they bring their skills and dedication to over 130 Sporting Memories Clubs each year, across England, Scotland and Wales."
Over three quarters of people (77%) said they admire those who give their time to volunteer to help worthwhile causes, with almost two thirds (62%) saying they value the work of volunteers more highly since the crisis began in March – just behind NHS workers (70%).
“We know - from the thousands of projects we fund each year – that people who give up their time to help their communities and make things happen are incredibly important," said Faiza Khan, the National Lottery's director of engagement and insight. "Small acts of kindness are needed now more than ever as we all adapt to profound changes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
