Volunteers will be a boon on MoonWalk

Published on Wednesday 1 June 2011 14:50

ONE thousand volunteers are being sought to ensure next Saturday's Edinburgh MoonWalk fundraiser goes off without a hitch.

Big-hearted residents are invited to get in touch with event organisers Walk the Walk, who issued the clarion call today.

The tasks volunteers can be assigned include acting as cyclists, masseuses, team leaders, drivers, clean team, recycling team, route volunteer and site volunteers.

A range of shifts are available to fit in with schedules of potential helpers. Different tasks start at different times and so volunteers are asked to indicate which hours they will be available - walkers always need extra support towards the end of the trek on Sunday morning.

Volunteers will be out on the course and will remain there until the last walker crosses the finish line.

When the race is completed, water stations have to be packed up and the course cleared of litter before weary staff can travel home.

A spokesperson for the charity said: "We have lots of different volunteer activities and we invite our volunteers to let us know their skills and what they would like to do to help.

"We need marshals to guide and support the route, drivers to get the team around Edinburgh, energetic cyclists for our specialist cycle teams, organised minds for our baggage tents, warm hearts for our finish line, skilled hands for our massage teams, backstage helpers to prepare our volunteer teams and bright characters to greet all those walkers and provide them with the food, water, and blankets they'll need."

She added: "We need 1000 volunteers to help the event run smoothly and ensure it is a fantastic night. People who may not want to walk can show their support by helping out on the night.

"There are different shifts, from Saturday evening for a few hours or working through the night.

"We especially need people at 6am onwards in the morning till the last walker comes in, usually just after 12 midday.

"I am sure that there are not many charities whose staff put in so much work and passion to make sure that as much of our walkers' hard-raised money is able to be granted to help improve the lives of cancer patients throughout Scotland."

Each volunteer will receive a cap and T-shirt. Since its inception The MoonWalk Edinburgh has raised more than 12 million in the fight against cancer. To help, call the volunteer team on 01483 741 430.

Been there, done that, got the T-shirt..

A VETERAN volunteer at the Edinburgh MoonWalk is Helen Fletcher, who will be lending a hand for the third year in a row.

The 52-year-old from Sighthill, who has lost family members to cancer, has had to forfeit trekking around Edinburgh due to a back complaint, but is relishing the opportunity to support walkers on the gruelling midnight trail.

She said: "I have been a route marshal for the last two years, which is always great fun, but this year I will be on the water stations.

"Everyone is full of enthusiasm and I would absolutely recommend volunteering to anyone - especially if you cannot walk for any reason.

She added: "People really do have to volunteer because it can't go ahead unless it gets support."