Published on 2nd May 2012

Metallic gold Olympic torch with the Olympic rings in the background (blue, yellow, black, green and red)

Volunteers are needed in Cheltenham for a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of this year’s Olympic Torch Relay.

On the evening of Wednesday 23 May, Cheltenham will be a hive of activity with spectators hoping to get a glimpse of the torch. Cheltenham Borough Council and Third Sector Services, who manage Volunteering Gloucestershire, are working together to find volunteers to help steward between 4pm and 7pm on the day. Stewards will be at key locations along the route to help with the safe passage of the relay convoy and to make sure onlookers have a safe and enjoyable time.

Jo Brown, Volunteer Manager at Volunteering Gloucestershire said: “We need volunteers to help us steward the torch's visit. The torch will be running along Bath Road, the Promenade, through the town centre and along Evesham Road to the race course.

This is a fantastic opportunity for Cheltenham residents to get involved with the excitement leading up to London 2012 and to represent their home town in the process. It is also a fantastic opportunity to support your community and to work as part of a team of local people.”

Volunteers will receive a full briefing session before the event which will give them all the information they will need on the day. They will be assigned to a section of the route and will report to the lead steward for that section. Each section will also be assigned a police officer and Cheltenham Borough Council staff member. All stewards will be given a high-visibility vest.

Volunteers need to be 17 or over and must be able to commit to one of a number of information session which will be run throughout the day and evening on Wednesday 16 May. Alternative sessions will be made available if volunteers cannot attend.

How to volunteer

If you would like to volunteer for this event please use the application form or email jo@volunteeringcheltenham.org.uk.