Volunteers wanted for World Police and Fire Games

That’s the call from Upper Bann MLA Jo-Anne Dobson as she helps promote the Games which are scheduled to take place in August next year.

Jo-Anne said, “The 2013 World Police and Fire Games will bring around 25,000 people, including 10,000 competitors, from over 70 countries to Northern Ireland. Given the huge such of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in London earlier this year, the World Police and Fire Games present a fantastic opportunity for Northern Ireland.

“There are 3,500 volunteers required to help make the Games a success, a role which will provide local people with a unique opportunity to be part of such a landmark event.

“Already around 100 people from Banbridge have already applied and I would encourage anyone from Upper Bann who has not yet signed up to do so and avail of this once in a lifetime opportunity.”

The opportunities for volunteers to be a member of Team 2013 include roles within transport, registration, translation, sports venue branding, media, warehousing and many more exciting roles.

The Games take place on August 1-10 next year and is set to attract 10,000 competitors from over 70 countries as well as a further 15,000 visitors.

While the Games will be held at locations mainly in Belfast, other venues include those in Bangor, Newcastle, Lisburn, Newtownabbey, Castlereagh, Portrush, Larne, Cookstown, Ballymena and the Newry and Mourne region. The volunteer recruitment process is now live with applications to be submitted by this Wednesday October 31.

Wendy Osborne OBE, Chief Executive, Volunteer Now said: “The Games offer an excellent opportunity for local people to make a difference through volunteering. By applying to volunteer at the Games they can potentially be a member of ‘Team 2013; the Spirit of the Games’.

“It also means they can be an ambassador for Northern Ireland, their community and inspire others to pick up the volunteering baton and give it a go!”

Welcoming the start of the volunteer recruitment process, Deputy Chief Constable Judith Gillespie, Chair of 2013 WPFG said: “We would encourage members of the public throughout Northern Ireland to take that initial step to experience the ‘Spirit of the Games’ and join Team 2013. Being a volunteer will offer people of all ages, skills and experience a fantastic and unique opportunity to be involved in a one off sporting spectacle as well as meet visitors from all over the world.”

To find out more about the 2013 World Police and Fire Games volunteer programme, including applying online, roles and VolunTour dates/venues go to www.2013wpfg.com/volunteers. For any queries email [email protected] or tel 028 9023 2020.