50,000 apply to be Games volunteers

Mar 1 2013

Organisers of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games have received more than 50,000 applications for volunteers.

The team behind the Games said they are thrilled with the response, after appealing for up to 15,000 helpers to come forward.

They said the 50,811 figure is higher than previous volunteer applications for both the Manchester and Melbourne Games, in 2002 and 2006 respectively.

Forms flooded in from every local authority area in Scotland, as well as further afield in the UK and overseas.

Almost a fifth (18%) of those offering to help are under 18, and 38% are aged between 16 and 25.

The majority of the applications (61%) were from females.

The deadline for would-be Games helpers to apply was midnight on Thursday and organisers will now start sorting through forms and arranging interviews for later this year.

Glasgow 2014 chief executive David Grevemberg said: "We are absolutely delighted with the numbers and want to say a massive thank you to everyone who has supported the campaign.

"We have received a record number of applicants and all those who have applied are already helping Glasgow 2014 make history.

"Scots are famed for being generous with their time and have a real heritage of volunteering and it's fantastic to see them, along with people from across the UK and internationally, come forward in such numbers to support their Games."