As Volunteers’ Week kicks off, James May calls on Londoners to get behind the wheel and support London’s largest food redistribution charity. The Felix Project needs volunteer drivers to help deliver surplus food to hundreds of community organisations across the capital.
May, of Top Gear and Great Explorers fame, first started volunteering as a delivery driver for The Felix Project during the pandemic when he found himself with more time on his hands. He has driven for Felix ever since, fitting shifts in between his busy filming and touring schedule.
May explains: “Food waste has bothered me ever since I was a kid, and there’s a lot of it about. Tons and tons of it. And there are people who desperately need it. So it can either be redistributed or thrown in the bin, which is a bit of a no-brainer. I really enjoy my shifts at Felix - there’s great morale at the depot and it’s the best exercise I do. If you enjoy driving, well, why not come and drive a big van for free? You will see London and help people.”
In 2024, a whopping 13,000 people volunteered for The Felix Project. Debbie Coulson, Head of Volunteering explains: “We are so grateful to our 13,000 volunteers, we really couldn’t operate without them! Volunteering for Felix comes in many shapes and sizes, and no regular commitment is required so you can fit it around your own schedule. If you prefer walking to driving, you could join our Green Scheme and deliver food on foot, or perhaps you’d like to build up your culinary skills in our kitchen. We are calling on everyone to come and be part of this amazing organisation, where we believe that no good food should be wasted and no one goes hungry.”
In the UK, only around 15 per cent of workers are thought to use their volunteering leave (according to William Fleming, research fellow at the University of Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre) despite the documented benefits. This Volunteers’ Week, The Felix Project is encouraging everyone to take theirs. Whether it's chopping, picking, sorting, packing or driving. Every hour of volunteering makes a real difference. Find out how you can get involved!
