I first volunteered in 2009 at the request of a childhood friend of my daughter’s, who was classed as Special Needs. She, however, played basketball for a Special Needs group and when the Special Olympics came to Leicester in 2009, she asked if I would help as I was retired by then. So I did and my daughter joined me in volunteering. I so enjoyed the experience that I decided to volunteer for other major events if I had the time.
As I have always practised sport myself and had an interest in sport, I volunteered for the Olympics 2012. I was lucky enough to be chosen to help with the Paralympics and, although, I do not live in London, I decided I would go anyway and was prepared to pay all the costs myself just for the chance to be part of something so fantastic. And it was fantastic! The whole of London seemed to be involved and every journey I made to our base, someone always spoke to me and spoke of the events and volunteers (our uniform was easily recognisable!) It proved to be one of the more interesting and entertaining weeks of my life – an opportunity I knew I would never get again in my life time.
As a result, since then, I have volunteered for the Rugby World Cup, which was based in my home town for three of the matches. This too was a rewarding experience as I was able to use my Spanish (which I was learning at the time) to help out on a couple of occasions. Another time of great fun and camaraderie.
Following on from that I have volunteered for two years now at th Aegon Tennis in Nottingham and thoroughly enjoyed it. Everyone is so appreciative of the volunteers and it is great working in a team again. Even to the extent that, at my exalted age, I participate in the Ladies’ Day Fashion Parade on the Thursday fo that week at the start of that day’s matches! So far, we have been lucky with the weather and I intend to volunteer again in 2018!
So I would recommend to anyone ( and I have already done so to some of my friends)that if you want to be part of a great, friendly and sometimes exciting experience – VOLUNTEER!