And they’re off! Commuters across Scotland were urged to aim for a new ‘personal best’ today (Monday, 14 January) – by applying to be one of the volunteers who will be the friendly faces making the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games an amazing experience for athletes and spectators alike.

To celebrate the launch of the Glasgow 2014 volunteer application programme the city’s Central Station took on a sports carnival atmosphere with Olympic boxing Gold medallist – and the winner of BBC TV’s Superstars – Anthony Joshua, and Scotland’s Olympic and Commonwealth badminton star Susan Egelstaff joining members of the Games Maker Choir to lend their voices to the drive to recruit up to 15,000 of the friendliest people for the Games.

Prospective volunteers have from today until 28 February to apply for a Games role which will not only see them be part of history – Glasgow 2014’s volunteers will be the biggest peace-time deployment of volunteers for a common cause Scotland has ever seen – but will also see them having the time for their lives.

No previous Games experience is necessary: Glasgow 2014 is simply looking for helpful and friendly people who will be aged 16 by close of applications on 28 February are eligible to work in the UK and available for at least eight days during the Games, which take place between 23 July and 3 August, 2014. Volunteers will also have to be available for up to six days ahead of the Games for interviews in Glasgow, training and uniform collection.

As well as general Games roles, Glasgow 2014 requires volunteers with a range of specialist skills including medical staff, drivers and people with specific sports expertise.

Applications are being received from this morning online at www.glasgow2014.com/volunteer and help is available in person at the Volunteer Centre in Glasgow, by phone at the Glasgow 2014 Contact Centre and staff at every library in Scotland are also geared up to assist with the application process.
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Urging people to step up to the volunteer challenge, Lord Smith of Kelvin, Chairman of Glasgow 2014 said: “Being a Glasgow 2014 volunteer really is the opportunity to have the time of your life and be part of something very special for Glasgow and Scotland.

“Our volunteers will be crucial to the success of the Games. They will be our front-line charm force, promoting Glasgow and Scotland to the world and creating a fantastic experience not just for the million spectators who will be here in person but also the billion-plus people around the world who will watch the Games on television. Glasgow 2014 is a global show-reel for the city and for Scotland and our volunteers have a starring role to play.

“I would encourage everyone – regardless of age or life experience – to think about being part of creating a Games success story for Glasgow and Scotland and apply now as a Glasgow 2014 volunteer.”

Fiona McEwan, Vice-Chair Commonwealth Games Scotland, also attending the event said: “For the participating teams the volunteers are critical to the quality of every part of their Games experience. From the technical officials who ensure that the sport competitions are run smoothly, to the drivers who help athletes and officials get seamlessly around the city, to the people welcoming athletes into the dining room, a friendly and flexible attitude turns a good Games into a great and memorable Games.

“Scots are naturally very friendly and hospitable to international guests and we would urge people across the county to consider volunteering for the Games and sharing in the fantastic experience that Glasgow 2014 will offer people from all walks of life.”

Double Commonwealth medallist and London 2012 Olympian, Badminton player Susan Egelstaff added: “Being a proud Glaswegian I’m well aware of the friendly and welcoming nature this city is famous for. Volunteers have played a crucial role at major sporting events throughout my career and allowed me to prepare as best I can and focus solely on the sporting side of things.

“Glasgow 2014 will be the biggest sporting event Scotland has ever hosted and with the help of thousands of volunteers, I’m confident it will be a Games to remember.”