Published on:
14
January 2013
And they're off! People from all over Clackmannanshire were urged to aim for a new 'personal best' this week - by applying to be one of the volunteers who will be the friendly faces making the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games an amazing experience for athletes and spectators alike.
To celebrate the launch of the Glasgow 2014 volunteer application programme the city's Central Station took on a sports carnival atmosphere on Monday with Olympic boxing Gold medallist - and the winner of BBC TV's Superstars - Anthony Joshua, and Scotland's Olympic and Commonwealth badminton star Susan Egelstaff joining members of the Games Maker Choir to lend their voices to the drive to recruit up to 15,000 of the friendliest people for the Games.
Prospective volunteers have from today (Monday) until 28th February to apply for a Games role which will not only see them be part of history - Glasgow 2014's volunteers will be the biggest peace-time deployment of volunteers for a common cause Scotland has ever seen - but will also see them having the time for their lives.
No previous Games experience is necessary: Glasgow 2014 is simply looking for helpful and friendly people who will be aged 16 by close of applications on 28th February are eligible to work in the UK and available for at least eight days during the Games, which take place between 23rd July and 3rd August, 2014.
Volunteers will also have to be available for up to six days ahead of the Games for interviews in Glasgow, training and uniform collection.
As well as general Games roles, Glasgow 2014 requires volunteers with a range of specialist skills including medical staff, drivers and people with specific sports expertise.
Urging people to step up to the volunteer challenge, Clackmannanshire Council's Education, Sport and Leisure Convener, Councillor Ellen Forson, said: "Being a Glasgow 2014 volunteer really is the opportunity to have the time of your life and be part of something very special for Glasgow and Scotland.
"I would encourage everyone from around Clackmannanshire, regardless of age or life experience, to think about being part of creating a Games success story for Scotland and apply now as a Glasgow 2014 volunteer."
Last week a £500,000 funding programme to help people who want to volunteer for the Games was launched by the Big Lottery Fund (BIG) and the Scottish Government.
Recognising that not everyone can afford to do this, the Legacy 2014 Volunteer Support Programme will offer financial assistance to help those people facing practical and financial barriers which might otherwise stop them from volunteering.
Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport, Shona Robison said: "Volunteers will be the life blood of the Games, helping to create the atmosphere, energy and enthusiasm that drives success. From presidents, to spectators, to athletes, our volunteers will welcome people from all over the world to Glasgow and to Scotland."