Why don't you tri-volunteering?

Our reporter Geja offered to volunteer for the WorldTriathlonChampionship Series, held on Sunderland's beautiful coastline at the end of July.

Here she tells us about being involved in such an important event and her experience of volunteering.

"This huge international sporting event is focussed on the fastest athletes, but behind the scenes there is a large team of volunteers making sure that everything runs smoothly.

"To be a top swim-bike-run athlete requires months of training. The triathletes will be out there for many weeks, pounding the streets, swimming their lengths and cycling amongst the buzzing traffic, preparing for this big event. Volunteers also had to be prepared.

"I applied online to volunteer, several months before the start of the races. The list of jobs offered was quite extensive, ranging from marshalling the water stations to being a visitors' guide.

"As a keen cyclist, I opted to help out in the area I already knew and felt comfortable with - the cycling races. "All volunteers were then sent details of how the whole event would function and given finer details regarding the role they would be undertaking. 

"The information and the professionalism of the organisation was very reassuring. "A couple of days before the event, the volunteers met in the City Hall for a face to face briefing. It was there that I realised how much organisation goes into such an event and how the organisers rely on the people giving their time so freely. "Talking to other volunteers, it also became clear that there were so many opportunities to help out; the number of organisations, that require support, I found quite staggering."

"Another volunteer who I spoke with, Mark Robinson, said: 'When I volunteer, I get a sense of well-being and satisfaction of being part of something that brings joy and happiness to the community. I volunteer fairly regularly for the Park Run at Silksworth, on Saturday mornings. Mostly it is barcode scanning to record the times and positions of the finishers, but I've also given out finish tokens and sorting them for the next event.'

"It was an early start on the day of the races. The volunteers were there before most of the athletes. Each volunteer was given a fluorescent bib, last minute instructions, a free hat and, in my case, a red flag. "I was then led to my position near Roker Park and waited for the fun to begin. 

"From my location, I was able to cheer on all the cyclists and, with a touch of irony, wave my flag to tell the racers to slow down for the upcoming dangerous corner. "The weather stayed fine, nobody skidded off at the bend and I swapped my free hat for a cup of coffee. "I thought it was going to be hard work, but it was such fun seeing all the competitors, cheering them on and feeling the vibe. This is definitely not the last time you'll see me in a bright yellow bib.

"Well done to all the volunteers and if you're tempted to spend some of your free time helping others, there are plenty of opportunities out there."

Reporters John and Geja Holmes