London 2012 launch biggest volunteer recruitment drive in post-war era

LONDON 2012 organisers have announced plans for the biggest recruitment drive since World War II with up 70,000 helpers set to be employed for the Games.

ENCOURAGEMENT: London 2012 chairman Lord Sebastian Coe hopes the UK public want to be part of the biggest post-war recruitment drive for volunteers (Getty Images)

The volunteers will be known as Games Makers and will undertake two roles - specialists in areas such as medical services, sport or press operations and generalists, with roles ranging from spectator assistants, uniform distributors and ticket checking.

Fast-food giants and worldwide Olympic Partner McDonalds has been appointed as the Presenting Partner for the Volunteer programme.

McDonald's will use its expertise in customer service and training and nationwide presence to help attract, select and train the diverse team that will be needed to make the 2012 Games a success.  
London 2012 chairman Lord Sebastian Coe said: "London 2012 needs brilliant volunteers to help us deliver a great Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"Our volunteers will be called Games Makers to reflect the important role they will play in staging the 2012 Games.

"The programme to find our Games Makers will launch on 27 July 2010 and I urge anyone that is interested to come to our website from the day onwards to find out everything they need to know about volunteering in 2012."

Pre-identified applicants for specialist roles are to apply from July 27  2010 onwards while applications for generalist roles will open on September 15  2010.

There will also be a Young Games Maker programme for up to 1,500 under-18 year olds which will open in 2011. In addition to these volunteer roles being recruited by Locog, Mayor of London Boris Johnson will shortly announce plans for the recruitment of London Volunteers, stationed at key transport hubs, at visitor attractions, and on the streets of the capital to make sure all visitors to London get the best possible welcome during the Games.

Johnson said: "Volunteering for the London Olympic and Paralympic Games, on home soil, is literally a once in a lifetime opportunity. 

"It is the great people of this country, with their warm welcome and 'can-do' attitude, on whom the success of our Games will depend. 

"So my message is simple: whether you have a specific skill to offer or simply bags of enthusiasm to get stuck in and lend a hand, be it volunteering in one of the fantastic 2012 Games venues or helping us on the streets of our city - your Games need you!"