Firemen call on assistance - volunteers for Games

Oct 25 2007 by Vicky Anderson, Liverpool Daily Post

A RECRUITMENT drive to sign 1,500 volunteers to help with the running of next year’s World Firefighters Games was launched yesterday with the help of Everton footballer Tim Cahill.

The club has been named as volunteer partner for the international competition, being held in and around Liverpool Arena from August next year, and which is expected to attract 5,000 firefighters and their families from around the globe to the city.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service is hosting the 10-day event as its contribution towards the city’s Capital of Culture celebrations.

Now it needs to recruit 1,500 volunteers to help run the events.

Volunteer co-ordinator Dave Roscoe said: “We need volunteers from all walks of life, who will effectively become ‘the face’ of the games. Volunteers can register for the full 10 days or as little as a few hours.” Roles will include marshalling events, meeting and greeting competitors upon arrival, helping competitors get to and from venues via a shuttle bus service, and looking after VIPs.

Others will help steward games and social events, assist the management team, work as first-aiders, or as interpreters.

Online event registration is now open at www.wfg08.com. Anyone aged 18 or over at the time of the games is welcome to take part. Groups of young people are also welcome to help.

Skills are welcome, but not essential as full training will be given, starting in March 2008.

Everton will provide branded uniforms for all volunteers, plus training to NVQ level, through a similar scheme used to train Everton’s stewards.

Midfielder Cahill said: “The Worldfighters Games 2008 is going to be a fantastic event. I would urge people to sign up and become WFG08 volunteers as it’s going to be an event not to be missed.”

EVERTON UEFA CUP PREVIEW: SPORT – PAGES 36-37

vickyanderson