The Suffolk community is being called upon to come forward to volunteer after figures revealed a 47% drop in numbers triggered by the cost-of-living crisis.

The information from charity Community Action Suffolk also showed there had been a 47% fall in donations, while demand on the sector had increased by nearly 39%, producing a 34% impact on staff wellbeing.

The statistics were revealed to coincide with the launch of a national campaign, The Big Help Out, in support of The King's Coronation, which is encouraging people to volunteer with charities and community groups during the Coronation weekend, May 6-8.

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During the coming weeks, Suffolk is appealing for more individuals, businesses, schools and communities to get involved in any way they can.

To do so, anyone interested in finding a single event, project, or role during The Big Help Out weekend, will be able to source opportunities via the Volunteer Suffolk website.

However, the volunteering commitment will not just be for the weekend as the charity will be starting an 'I Pledge....For Volunteering' initiative, available to businesses, causes and groups that have pledged to volunteer or support volunteering.

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This pledge could be committing to weekly volunteering at the local park run, becoming a trustee, signing up to Volunteer Suffolk.

Alternatively, it could be a company owner implementing an Employer Supported Volunteering scheme (ESV) or a business leader volunteering the use of their building or grounds to host charity events each year.

READ MORE: Suffolk news

Chris Abraham, the charity's chief executive, said: “We want a campaign of several weeks which really kickstarts people changing the way they view their opportunity to do something which is FOR volunteering.”

Organisations across the county, including Suffolk County Council, are all set to be involved in spreading the message in support of the county’s legacy campaign.