240,000 Sign Up To 2012 Volunteer Programme

Over 240,000 people have applied to the London 2012 Games Maker volunteer programme, LOCOG has confirmed.

Applications for the London 2012 volunteering programme have now closed as people from across the UK aim to be involved in the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2012.

The volunteering team at the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) will now be working through the applications to select the best of the applications.?
Selection and interviews of short-listed applicants will take place from February 2011 to February 2012 before training will begin.

Research into applications has revealed that 40% of all applicants to date have said that London 2012 has inspired them to volunteer for the first time.
 
The Mayor of London is also running a separate volunteering programme and aiming to recruit up to 8,000 London Ambassadors to help and advise all the visitors who will travel to London in Games time.

Located at key points across the city – including transport hubs, outside Games venues, and at popular visitor spots – they will provide information on what to see and do, where to stay and how to get around the capital.

The registration period for the Mayor’s volunteering programme closes on 31st December 2010.
 
Worldwide Olympic Partner McDonald’s is the presenting partner of the Volunteer Programme.