Sheffield Cathedral is joining with the nation’s cathedrals and uniting this VE Day in a project to remember heroes past and present as part of the Big Picnic for Hope.
To mark the 75th anniversary of VE Day on 8 May 2020, Cathedrals around the country had events planned to form part of the national celebration.These events would have brought together communities, friends and families in gatherings and streets parties around the UK. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic, such gatherings are no longer possible. That said, 8 May 2020 is still a national bank holiday and a chance for us to reflect on past events and those we are all currently experiencing.
The Big Picnic for Hope is now offering an opportunity for households to be part of a virtual get-together on 8 May. Instead of street parties, people can stay at home, picnic indoors or in their gardens, and join friends and families virtually.
People are encouraged to share their plans and ideas for the Big Picnic for Hope using the hashtag #bigpicnicforhope. On social media people will be able to share and see their creative ideas of what to bake, what to make, how to picnic in style. This will help everyone get ready to join together on Friday 8 May to share photos of their picnics and discuss memories and stories of their loved ones, past and present, in a way fitting of the circumstances we are living through.
To join in with the Big Picnic for Hope, find out more, or share your ideas and photos visit www.bigpicnicforhope.com and @bigpicnicforhope on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
At the same time as something fun to take part in with other people around the country, the Big Picnic for Hope affords a unique way to remember heroes who have kept our country safe in the past and acknowledge new heroes on the new home front. It gives the nation another way of saying thank you for the incredible effort and sacrifice being made by our key workers from carers, delivery personnel, grocery workers and public transport workers to medical researchers and frontline NHS staff.
In Sheffield and across South Yorkshire, the Big Picnic for Hope will also askfor assistance in raising essential funds for The Cathedral Archer Project – the only charity offering face-to-face support for homeless people in Sheffield and neighbouring communities during the Covid-19 crisis. Donations can be made online at www.justgiving.com/campaign/SheffCathbigpicnicforhope.