The 'Hugging Saint' seeks volunteers for 2012 tour at Ally Pally

Picture: Jeff Moore

Hundreds of people will be queuing at Alexandra Palace next month for the simplest of gifts – a hug from Indian spiritual leader Amma, the Divine Mother.

For 30 years, the Indian spiritual leader, real name Mata Amritanandamayi, has been offering strangers darshan – her unique brand of spiritual embrace – and is said to have doled out more than 30million hugs worldwide.

This year the hugging saint's website is appealing for volunteers to help out at the 2012 tour. The call includes a request for people to help with preparing and serving food, washing dishes and greeting and stewarding. The organisers are also on the hunt for specialists, including doctors, CRB-checked child minders, massage therapists, health and safety professionals, security professionals and trained chefs or bakers.

If you'd like to help out all people from all backgrounds are welcome. Contact the organisers at info@amma.org.uk

Finally, Amma is asking people to save their old newspapers for the event. These will be used by  the Greenfriends UK to make recycled bags for all stalls, including food stalls, during the three day event.

The tour will be running at Ally Pally between 23rd and 25th October. Full details at www.amma.org.uk.