Final meet-up for volunteers before Island Games
ISLAND GAMES volunteers got together at the weekend – for the last time before Guernsey becomes the first island to host the Games three times in a week-long celebration of sport this summer.
With exactly eight weeks to go until the opening ceremony, hundreds of volunteers gathered at Beau Sejour over the weekend to collect their accreditation badges, handbook, uniforms and goody bags.
It was also an opportunity for a group photo on the park in which ‘Judge Drone’ – Mike Stratford – captured volunteers and Games mascot Jet the Puffin from the air.
Before the photo, there were short talks in the Dave Ferguson Hall from Lt-Governor Lt General Richard Cripwell, director of volunteering Wayne Bulpitt and director of communications and events Amanda Hibbs.
Lt General Cripwell said he was looking forward to seeing as many events as possible – when he wasn’t overseeing a car park.
He has volunteered for car park attendant duties during Games week, which is 8-14 July. His wife, Louise, has volunteered to work in the Games shop.
‘We saw volunteers at the Commonwealth Games last year and at other games and we wanted to be part of that,’ said Lt General Cripwell.
‘I thought this was the best way I could support the Games and I’m very happy to do it.
‘I’m hoping to see as much as I possibly can. Nothing beats live sport.’
Mrs Hibbs paid tribute to the Games’ volunteer force, 700 of whom had signed up for the weekend get-together.
‘We couldn’t do this without them. They’re vitally important,’ she said.
Games volunteer manager Kristin Dowling said volunteers would help create the unique atmosphere in the island during Games week.
‘It’s almost time for a new chapter to be written in Games history and everyone is excited that we’re getting closer and closer,’ she said.
‘We’ve been really keen to organise a big team photo of volunteers because they will be a part of Guernsey history and it will make a lovely memento.
‘It simply would not be possible to host an event of this size without people freely giving their time, skills, and enthusiasm.’
It was the last time volunteers would be together in one place because some will still be on duty at the time of the end-of-Games volunteers’ party.
