Seb Coe was joined by Matthew Fry, the face of the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent element of the West Midlands for 2012 volunteering campaign at the Lake at the Trentham Estate, Staffordshire to launch ‘Volunteers – we need YOU!’.
The campaign aims to encourage people to get involved now, sparing just one day to volunteer at an event or an hour a week helping people in their own communities. Granted the Inspire Mark, the badge of the London 2012 Inspire Programme, for innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, ‘Volunteers – we need YOU’ will signpost people to a volunteering opportunities notice board on www.wmfor2012.com/volunteering plus provide practical advice and guidance on volunteering as well as profiling some of the West Midlands most dedicated volunteers.
During his visit to the Lake at the Trentham Estate, which is registered as a Paralympic Rowing Pre-Games Training Camp, Seb Coe met rowers and canoeists, including youth and disabled groups and Paralympic athletes training for 2012 along with their volunteer coaches. Seb Coe also made a short address outside the Boathouse about the facilities and unveiled a memorial plaque for Ruth Holdway, a coach and dedicated volunteer at Trentham who passed away last year. At the opposite end of the Lake, Seb Coe met 26 young people who were receiving Sports Performance Grants from Staffordshire County Council and their parents / volunteer coaches.
Prior to launching the volunteer campaign, Seb Coe marked the start of production of the official London 2012 souvenirs and merchandise by Waterford, Wedgwood and Royal Doulton during a tour of the Wedgwood Visitor Centre and ended his visit at the City of Stoke-on-Trent Sports Awards which showcased and celebrated the sporting excellence within the area. At the Sports Awards Seb Coe will presented a special long-service award to open the event which will see 32 awards presented on the night with two individuals being inducted into the City of Stoke-on-Trent Sporting Hall of Fame.
Seb Coe, Chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee, said: “Our vision is to use the power of the 2012 Games to inspire lasting change. They offer a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to do something extraordinary, to inspire everyone to use their passion to help others. ‘Volunteers – we need YOU!’ will allow many more people in the West Midlands to make a contribution and achieve their personal best and create a lasting legacy.”
Nigel Russell, Head of Tourism, Culture and the Olympics for Advantage West Midlands said: “Volunteering is just one way that people in the West Midlands can get involved now with, and be inspired by London 2012, and begin making a difference in their own communities in projects linked to London 2012. We are particularly proud that through today’s visit Seb Coe met so many people who are themselves giving their time to support our sporting stars of the future.”
Cllr Chris Saint, Deputy Chair of the West Midlands Leadership Group for the 2012 Games said: “The projects visited provide a snap shot of 2012 activity already underway in the West Midlands, the Leadership Group is proud to welcome Seb Coe to the region to showcase this activity and introduce Seb Coe to people who are already making the most out of the opportunities of the 2012 Games and demonstrating the many ways people can have their own ‘Olympic or Paralympic Moment’.”