Friday, December 07, 2012
Organisers of the 2013 World Police and Fire Games are
celebrating a record response to their call for volunteer
applicants launched at the beginning of September. In excess of
6000 people have pledged their support and have signed up as
volunteer applicants. 2013 Games organisers had set a target
of over 4000 volunteer applicants and were delighted by the huge
response from people of all ages from across Northern Ireland and
beyond.
Whilst the main recruitment phase officially closed at the end
of October to allow sufficient time to process the many thousands
of registrations, organisers continue to engage with
under-represented groups as part of WPFG's strategic effort to
tackle social exclusion, promote equality and opportunities, and
strengthen community engagement. This includes people with
disabilities, older people and individuals from Neighbourhood
Renewal Areas across Northern Ireland. In addition people with
specific skills that are needed to ensure the smooth running of the
Games are also still being actively
targeted.
The success of the main recruitment drive undoubtedly benefited
from the success of London 2012. It involved the 2013 Games team
working alongside Volunteer Now to embark on a two month campaign
and "VolunTour" roadshow which travelled throughout Northern
Ireland engaging with local communities at grass roots level. Team
2013 also welcomed popular BBC network programme The One Show, who
scoured the streets of Belfast laying down a challenge to people to
register as a volunteer before the official deadline at the end of
October.
Celebrating the record number of volunteer registrations,
Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, Caral Ni Chuilin said: "The
response to the call for volunteers for the 2013 World Police and
Fire Games is a demonstration of the spirit and enthusiasm of
people across the North of Ireland. The Games offer an exciting
opportunity for local people to get involved in a wide variety of
roles. We are aiming to make the 2013 Games the friendliest ever
and it is the volunteers who will make this aspiration a
reality. The Games are a chance for Belfast and the North of
Ireland to shine and I am confident that the volunteers will have a
major role in ensuring that they are successful."
The 2013 WPFG volunteer programme is supported by Coca Cola and
the next phase will see Volunteer Now processing the thousands of
registrations and early next year informal sessions will be set up
to meet and select potential volunteers face to face and match
skills to roles.
Maire Campbell, Public Affairs and Communications Director at
Coca Cola HBC Ireland said, "The success of the volunteer campaign
has been fantastic and the team at Coca Cola is looking forward to
working alongside all the thousands of volunteer personnel and
meeting the international participants at this unique and exciting
sporting festival."
The 2013 World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) takes place from
1st -10th August next year and is set to
attract 10,000 competitors from over 70 countries.
For further details about the games, visit www.2013wpfg.com or
find us on twitter @2013WPFG / #2013WPFG or
Facebook www.facebook.com/2013wpfg
ENDS
Media contact: Rosemary Allister, JPR Tel 028 9076 0066 or
mobile 07880 504928 or email rosemary.allister@jprni.com.
