Sebastian Coe, Chair of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games joined the West Midlands Leadership Group for the 2012 Games earlier this month to launch, and support, a major new region-wide volunteering initiative, inspired by the London 2012 Games.
‘Volunteers – we need YOU!’ aims to encourage people across the West Midlands to spare just one day to volunteer at a one-off regional event or an hour a week helping people in their own communities like the following volunteers:
Birmingham based volunteers Liam Nottingham (aged 19yrs) and Zikel Notice (aged 20yrs) coach football at Aston Football Club working with the Saturday Development Centre under 15s team. Both students, they average 8 hours each per week volunteering.
Solihull based volunteer David Boot, aged 73 years, has been volunteering for 55 years. Now retired David works as a volunteer for the British Water Polo League averaging 16 hours a week during the season (Sept – Jan) and a couple of hours a week the rest of the year.
Black Country based volunteer Jane Beach volunteers at Kewford Eagles Football Club, a supported ability football club that has 50 team members ranging in ages 7 - 29 years. Jane gives up an average of 5 hours a week organising things at the club, doing secretarial work and as a second mum to the players.
Kidderminster based volunteer Richard Warder is a volunteer coach for Kidderminster and Stourport Athletics Club coaching athletes across the age spectrum. .On average he spends up to 15hours a week volunteering whilst also working part-time.
Telford based volunteer Diane Halford volunteers for Shropshire Junior County Badminton Club as the Secretary and Head of Coaching & Development averaging 10 to 15 hours a week helping the youngsters' Club.
Stoke-on-Trent volunteer Matthew Fry, 29 years, is the area’s fundraiser for the Special Olympics and spends at least 6 hours each day pursuing ways of raising money for athletes in the team.
Seb Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: “Our vision is to use the power of the 2012 Games to inspire lasting change. They offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do something extraordinary, to inspire everyone to use their passion to help others. ‘Volunteers – we need YOU!’ will allow many more people in the West Midlands to make a contribution and achieve their personal best and create a lasting legacy.”
David Moorcroft, Chair of the West Midlands Leadership Group for the 2012 Games: “Volunteering is just one way that people in the West Midlands can get involved now with, and be inspired by London 2012. Liam and Zikel are two fantastic examples of how people across our region are making a real difference in their own communities.”
Granted the Inspire Mark, the badge of the London 2012 Inspire Programme, for innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, ‘Volunteers – we need YOU’ signposts people to a volunteering opportunities notice board at www.wmfor2012.com/volunteering which also provides practical advice and guidance on volunteering as well as profiling some of the West Midlands most dedicated volunteers.