SCOTTISH Widows has promised its support for the Commonwealth Youth Games with a number of staff joining the team of volunteers needed for the September event.
It takes the number of people who have volunteered to over 600, but another 200 are still needed, says CYG2011 volunteer co-ordinator Victoria Karran who is also company secretary for the Clerical Medical Isle of Man group of companies now operating within Scottish Widows.
Victoria Karran is working with an eight-strong team to co-ordinate ‘the Games makers’, and with fewer than 100 days before the start of the biggest multi-sporting event to take place in the Isle of Man, the recruitment campaign is moving up another gear.
“The challenge is threefold,” said Victoria. “To find 800 volunteers, allocate them to roles then train, support and manage them. As always the Manx community has been magnificent in coming forward, but the Games are also attracting volunteers from overseas – Australia, Africa and India, for example – who are coming to the Isle of Man at their own expense to help.’
Three of Victoria’s work colleagues at Scottish Widows will be working as team liaison officers. “The company has been very supportive and encouraging as, from a corporate perspective, volunteering for the Games presents unique team-building opportunities,” she said.
“To volunteer is to be part of a 69-nation sporting event that will see more than 1000 competitors coming to the Isle of Man to enter what we’re billing as ‘The Friendly Games.’ ”
Scottish Widows managing director Dean Waddingham said, “Scottish Widows has a long standing commitment to encouraging sporting endeavour in the Island.
“We have sponsored the Parish Walk for 21 years, formerly as Clerical Medical and latterly as Scottish Widows, the Isle of Man tag rugby finals for four years and the Peel golf club junior competition for 23 years. We are therefore pleased to support Victoria and her colleagues and wish them every success.”
Scottish Widows is part of the Lloyds Banking Group and is also official pensions and investment provider to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
A wide range of volunteer roles has yet to be filled. To find out more, visit www.cyg2011.com or email cyg2011volunteers@manx.net.
