350 Volunteers Needed for Tall Ships Race as Deadline Approaches

People are being encouraged to sign up as volunteers for the Tall Ships Race – before the deadline of January 8th 2018.

The Event Makers Programme is searching for over 350 volunteers to ensure that The Tall Ships Race Sunderland 2018 runs smoothly.

Volunteers are being sought to welcome visitors, sell programmes, provide information, assist with crew activities, and run crew and volunteer centres. Volunteers are also needed in the areas of event support and site dressing.

The organisers are also looking for volunteers to be Ships Liaison Officers – who will be responsible for looking after the captain and crew of whatever ship they are assigned – and Ship Technical Liaison Officers, who will be the first point of contact for ships with urgent technical problems.

All volunteers will receive training in order to attain NVQ Level 1 in Volunteering. In addition, all volunteers who would like to can train for NVQ Level 2 free of charge with the help of Sunderland College.

Sunderland City Council’s portfolio holder for public health, wellness and culture, Cllr John Kelly, said, “As a city we are looking for a team of Event Makers, with a wide range of interests, skills and experiences to help deliver fantastic occasions such as The Tall Ships Race Sunderland 2018.”

“There will be dozens of opportunities to play your part in this fantastic event. The Tall Ships Races will not only be important to Sunderland’s communities and economy, but also to how our city is portrayed across the country and beyond.”

“Volunteering can be fun, exciting, rewarding and hard work too. We need your help to make it happen and I urge anyone who has ever thought about volunteering to make a New Year’s pledge to themselves to make the most of the opportunities that will be available next summer.”

For more information and to apply to become an Event Maker, please go to www.tallshipssunderland.com/get-involved/volunteers. You can also contact Ian Flannery on 0191 561 1397 or by email at ian.flannery@sunderland.gov.uk.  

(Featured image courtesy of Sail Training International)