50,000 PEOPLE APPLY TO BE GAMES VOLUNTEERS
Organisers of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games have received more than 50,000 applications for volunteers.
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%) of those offering to help are under 18, and 38% are aged between 16 and 25.
The majority of the applications (61%) were from females.
David Grevemberg, Glasgow 2014 Chief Executive, said:
“We are absolutely thrilled with the numbers and want to say a big thank you to all the 102.5 Clyde 1 listeners who have supported the campaign – we couldn’t have done it without you! We have received a record number of applicants and we fully appreciate the role the 102.5 Clyde 1 listeners played. It just shows how much support there is out for there for the Games and how keen people are to be part of ths journey.”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.
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.''