Picnic on the pitch at Wembley for Big Jubilee Lunch

 

Thank You Day is being held this year on Sunday 5 June, to coincide with the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. It’s backed by organisations across the country such as the NHS, Facebook and itv, and is about building a day when neighbours reconnect, to say thank you to HM The Queen and to each other. Organisers are hoping more than 10m people will take part across the country.

 

Sir Geoff and Karen were joined by volunteers and young footballers from the local Brent community as they shared that around 1000 local people will be invited to share a Big Jubilee Lunch on Wembley’s hallowed turf on Sunday 5 June.

 

Alongside the organisers of Thank You Day, we're calling on clubs around the country to get involved by hosting ‘play, compete and eat’ events on the big day – such as hosting community football matches, asking competing teams to eat together, as well as hosting tournaments and inviting new participants from the local area.

 

Launching the plans, World Cup hat-trick hero, Sir Geoff Hurst said: “Thank You Day is a brilliant idea and Wembley is such a special place - this promises to be a truly magical day. 

 

“On Thank You Day this year, there will be fantastic events taking place all across the country, but Wembley will be a real highlight. Here on the pitch, 1000 people from the community around the stadium will get the chance to come and eat together, and share a great day together as we say thank you to each other, the people who make a difference in our own lives, and to the Queen for an incredible lifetime of service. 

 

“But let’s not stop at Wembley. Football is so important to communities up and down the country - so I want to see the football family show what we can do on the big day by playing a central role in the biggest thank you party this country has ever seen.”

 

And Lionesses legend Karen Carney added: “Thank You Day is an opportunity for us all to say a huge thank you to each other, and to The Queen, and to get together with our communities over a Big Jubilee Lunch on the Sunday of the Platinum Jubilee weekend.

 

“It’s an opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has helped us through from volunteers, coaches, team mates, backroom staff, neighbours, family and friends. That’s why it’s so great that the FA is taking part in Thank You Day on Sunday 5 June. 

 

“Football brings communities together like nothing else - so the FA and our England teams are inviting individuals and football clubs to take part in the day by hosting community football matches, followed by sharing lunches together on Thank You Day, Sunday 5 June.”