Could you inspire neighbours to hold an Olympic party, encourage friends and family to celebrate the passing of the Torch Relay or hold a sports quiz? If so, then take up the challenge of being an Olympic Local Leader this summer.
The London 2012 Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) are looking for volunteers to come forward and be the nation’s organisers, planners and doers as the nation gets ready for the Games.
Signing up to be a ‘Local Leader’ is easy – just go towww.london2012.com/localleaders which is full of information and ideas.
Councillor Martin Curtis, who leads on the Olympics at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “Over the last few months, lots of people who have been excited by London 2012 have asked what they can do to get involved and organise events – the ‘Local Leader’ campaign is geared up to harness this enthusiasm. Signing up couldn’t be easier and the Olympic organisers will have put together a wide range of resources to help. London 2012 is going to be a fantastic summer of culture and sport so as a ‘Local Leader’ you can be at the heart of activities in your local community. So if you are someone who is good at organising things, has a strong sense of community spirit and above all can make stuff happen then you would be an ideal candidate.“
Seb Coe, LOCOG Chair, said: ‘Local Leaders are brilliant organisers in every community around the country and play an active role in celebrating national events at a local level. Through this programme Local Leaders will help provide opportunities for everyone around the UK to join in with the London 2012 Games.’
Being a ‘Local Leader’ is simple – all volunteers need is an idea of how to celebrate London 2012 and then LOCOG have provided a range of information and events to help. These include:
- Garden for the Games’ provides Local Leaders with hints and tips from gardening experts, including Blue Peter Gardener Chris Collins and Olympic Park Gardener Des Smith, on how to plant seeds now that will turn window boxes down your street red, white and blue, or to ‘grow gold’ by planting marigolds to flourish the route of the Olympic Torch route.
- Once the Olympic Torch flame arrives in the UK on 18 May, Local Leaders are provided with ideas and tools to help bring the community together to welcome the flame and celebrate their local heroes by lining the streets and showing what makes their community special for the 70 day UK wide relay.
- On 27 July the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games will be watched by over a billion people around the world, and Local Leaders will be given invite cards, recipe tips, party sheets and more to help them turn their screening of the event into an Olympic themed venue, whether it is in a village hall, pub or living room.
- The 4 August is Super Saturday – the day when the most medals are awarded during the Olympic Games. Local Leaders will access recipe ideas to help host barbeques and a day of activity in their homes, gardens and community centres.
For more information on the impact and activities regarding the Olympics in the county go to:
For more information see: Local Leaders Olympics 2012