10,000 join the race to volunteer at Games in Glasgow

Reporter

Tuesday 15 January 2013

MORE than 10,000 people have applied to volunteer for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games on the first day of the recruitment process.

AIMING HIGH: Badminton player Susan Egelstaff and Olympic boxing gold medallist Anthony Joshua helped launch the volunteer recruitment drive in Glasgow yesterday. Pictures: Jamie Simpson

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VICTORIA WELDON

Applications opened at 7am yesterday and Games' organisers said they had received a mammoth response within the first 12 hours.

A total of 15,000 games-makers are needed for the event, which will mark the biggest peace-time deployment of volunteers in Scottish history.

Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg said: "We have been delighted by the initial response to our call for volunteers for the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games. "I am happy to say that the volunteering spirit is definitely alive and well, and we have had more than 10,000 people apply within the first 12 hours."Olympic boxing gold medal winner Anthony Joshua helped launch the recruitment drive at Glasgow's Central Station yesterday, alongside Scottish badminton player Susan Egelstaff.Prospective volunteers have until February 28 to apply for a role, the majority of which require no previous experience.Applicants must be aged 16 or over, be eligible to work in the UK and must be available for at least eight days during the Games between July 23 and August 3, 2014.Organisers said they are looking for some people with specific skills such as medical training and specific sports knowledge.Lord Smith of Kelvin, chairman of Glasgow 2014, 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."Our volunteers will be crucial to the success of the Games. They will be our front-line charm force, promoting Glasgow and Scotland to the world and creating a fantastic experience not just for the million spectators who will be here in person but also the billion-plus people around the world who will watch the Games on television."Glasgow 2014 is a global show-reel for the city and for Scotland and our volunteers have a starring role to play. I would encourage everyone – regardless of age or life experience – to think about being part of creating a Games success story for Glasgow and Scotland and apply now as a Glasgow 2014 volunteer."A total of 25,000 applicants will be invited for interview from April.A £500,000 funding programme from the Big Lottery Fund and the Scottish Government was created last week to help people who would otherwise be unable to volunteer because of financial problems. Sports Minister Shona Robison said: "Volunteers will be the lifeblood 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."If you've got a new year's resolution to try new things and help other people, why not sign up to volunteer at the Commonwealth Games?"

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10,000 join the race to volunteer at Games in Glasgow

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