Volunteers Ready for Once-in-a-Lifetime Experience

 

LOCAL volunteers are set to make an impact on the London 2012 Games which officially open today (FRI), thanks to a helping hand from Charnwood Borough Council.

Volunteering at the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games is a once-in-a lifetime experience and 60 people from Leicester and Leicestershire, including 22 from Charnwood, are taking part in the iconic events.

They will be supporting the Games in roles as varied as transport team members to press operations and from medical first responders to field of play attendants – and at Games venues across the country.

A bursary scheme, the first of only three in the country, is providing financial support to the Games Maker volunteers who have each received £250 to go towards travel and accommodation expenses.

Games Makers from Charnwood received their cheques from Chris Traill, the Borough Council’s Strategic Director of Community Wellbeing, during a presentation evening at Loughborough University’s SportPark.

 For many of the volunteers, this funding has been the deciding factor as to whether they take up their Games Maker position or not.

 Loughborough Games Maker Becky White is volunteering in Press Operations at the Aquatic Centre. She said: “The money will help me worry less about not doing paid work while I’m volunteering.”

 And Games Maker Patricia Sharpe, of Queniborough, added: “The grant helped with train expenses when I travelled down to London for training sessions.” Patricia is volunteering as a Family Assistant at the Olympic Park.

 Councillor Paul Harley, the Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Leisure and Culture, said: "To be involved in London 2012 is going to be such a thrill for the youngsters, and we have given them a little help along the way.

 “Working with our partners, the Borough Council is committed to ensuring that a range of positive activities and opportunities are available to young people. We have also asked the volunteers to let us know how they are getting on.”

 The Leicester and Leicestershire Games Maker Grant Scheme has been funded by Inspire LeicesterShire, Leicester-Shire and Rutland Sport, Blaby District Council, Charnwood Borough Council, Harborough District Council, Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council, Leicester City Council, Melton Borough Council, North West Leicestershire District Council and Oadby & Wigston Borough Council.

 Shimul Haider, 2012 Games Legacy Director for Inspire LeicesterShire, said: “Volunteers are crucial to the successful delivery of the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Without them, the Games would simply not happen.

 “It’s absolutely fantastic that with help from all our partners, we have been able to give some of our local Games Makers a financial hand and make their experience all the more rewarding.”

 “Leicester-Shire and Rutland Sport recognises that without volunteers, grass roots sport could not function,” said Director John Byrne.

 

 “We have been delighted to lend our support to see Leicestershire and Leicester volunteers take up this once in a lifetime opportunity. We hope that London 2012 helps us to inspire a thousand more volunteers to help out in local sport.”