50,000 apply to volunteer at Glasgow 2014

Published on 01/03/2013 12:09

Organisers of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games have received more than 50,000 applications for volunteers.

• More volunteers have came forward than at previous events in Melbourne and Manchester

The team behind the Games said they are thrilled with the response, after appealing for up to 15,000 helpers to come forward.

They said the 50,811 figure is higher than previous volunteer applications for both the Manchester and Melbourne Games, in 2002 and 2006 respectively.

Forms flooded in from every local authority area in Scotland, as well as further afield in the UK and overseas.

Almost a fifth (18 per cent) of those offering to help are under 18, and 38 per cent are aged between 16 and 25.

The majority of the applications (61 per cent) were from females.

The deadline for would-be Games helpers to apply was midnight yesterday and organisers will now start sorting through forms and arranging interviews for later this year.

Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg said: “We are absolutely delighted with the numbers and want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign.

“We have received a record number of applicants and all those who have applied are already helping Glasgow 2014 make history.

“Scots are famed for being generous with their time and have a real heritage of volunteering and it’s fantastic to see them, along with people from across the UK and internationally, come forward in such numbers to support their Games.”

Valerie Mitchell, head of Games Workforce at Glasgow 2014, said: “We are thrilled with the level of interest and to have such a great mix of people apply to be part of the Games.

“We are also really over the moon at the response from young people.

“This is the first time that those from the age of 16 have been able to apply for the majority of volunteer roles at a global sporting event of this scale, so it has been fantastic to see such a positive response from this age group. Their contribution in creating a tone and feel for the Games will be really important.

“Our next steps are to begin the hard task of sifting through all the applications and arranging interviews for people. With so many applications to process, we will be inviting people to interview any time from April until December of this year.”

She added: “With these large numbers there will obviously be people who are not successful but there will be plenty more ways for them to get involved in the Games by getting their families along to venues, supporting the cultural programme and Queen’s Baton Relay.

“Post-Games we will also share our volunteer information with Volunteer Scotland as we want to ensure that people who are interested in volunteering have access to other opportunities.”

Minister for Commonwealth Games and Sport Shona Robison said: “For those who need it, the £500,000 Legacy 2014 Volunteer Support Programme can help people in Scotland who face practical or financial barriers to making their volunteering dreams a reality, such as carers, people with a disability or people with additional childcare needs.”

Archie Graham, executive member for the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow City Council, said: “Volunteering is a very rewarding experience, and I am sure all of those lucky enough to take part in the Games next summer will have something to treasure for the rest of their lives.”