Coca-Cola backs Volunteer Programme

The Games take place from 1st – 10th August next year and will attract 10,000 competitors from over 70 countries.

The World Police and Fire Games volunteer recruitment campaign kicked off in September and programme managers, Volunteer Now have reached a landmark four thousand volunteers registered online since the campaign launch.

Coca-Cola is backing the final recruitment phase to inspire hundreds more enthusiastic and motivated people aged 16 and over to get involved both on and off the pitch. The company will also encourage a number of its staff members to pick up the volunteer baton and help deliver the ‘Friendliest Games Ever.’

John Tully, WPFG Chief Executive said: “Our volunteers known as ‘Team 2013’ will represent the true spirit of the World Police and Fire Games and we’re delighted by the amazing response to our campaign to date. It’s wonderful that such a people focussed company as Coca-Cola has joined the WPFG team and we look forward to working alongside them during the next 10 months supporting our volunteers as they train and prepare for their selected roles in Greater Belfast and at other venues throughout Northern Ireland. I’d like to warmly welcome Coca-Cola to our team and thank them for their support and contribution to the Games.

“We’ve almost completed a highly successful ‘VolunTour’ roadshow which travelled across Northern Ireland engaging with the community at grass roots level to highlight the many volunteer opportunities available” continued John Tully. Our next stage will be to process registrations and set up informal sessions to meet and select potential volunteers face to face and match skills to roles.”

Zoë Cunningham, Communications Manager at Coca-Cola HBC Ireland said: “As a company, we are passionate about playing a positive role in our local community. We aim to support initiatives which inspire and encourage people to do the same themselves by getting active and getting involved and the WPFG volunteer programme fits the bill perfectly. Being part of the Coca-Cola Volunteer Programme offers people of all ages, skills and experience a chance to come together to be part of a unique sporting festival, enhancing community spirit and giving the international participants a warm Northern Ireland welcome.”

For details on applications for the Coca-Cola Volunteer Programme and the 2013 World Police and Fire Games go to www.2013wpfg.com/volunteers.