Volunteers given “once in a lifetime” opportunity to be part of Olympics (From News Shopper)

The Volunteer Centre Greenwich (VCG) team has been recruiting London Ambassadors

4:17pm Saturday 28th May 2011 in News By Nina Massey

GREENWICH volunteers have been given a “once in a lifetime” opportunity to be part of the London 2012 Olympics.

The Volunteer Centre Greenwich (VCG) team has been working tirelessly over the past six weeks to recruit London Ambassadors.

From the best places to eat, to the quickest route to a station, the ambassadors will line the capital’s streets, welcoming visitors from all over the world to London next summer.

Ambassador recruitment in Greenwich ended on Friday (May 27), and some volunteers have been speaking to News Shopper about their experiences.

Maryam Olatunde-Kehinde has been with VCG for six months and said: “I became a volunteer with the centre because I had been unemployed for a while.

“As well as allowing me to do something for the community, volunteering with the centre meant I would go away with some qualifications."

She added: “What is even better is that I can now go away and say I have been part of the Olympics.

"It really is a once in a lifetime opportunity and is something that will stay with me for life. I am very grateful and proud to be part of it.”

Ahmed Haque has been volunteering at the centre for two months.

He said: “When I heard about the opportunity to get involved with London Ambassadors, I jumped at the chance.

“It is such a great experience to be involved in recruiting volunteers for the Olympics and I have loved it.

"It’s sad that it has to come to an end, but is something that will stay with me forever.”

What is Volunteer Centre Greenwich

Volunteer Centre Greenwich is based at The Forum in Trafalgar Road, Greenwich.

It provides a service for people in the borough who wish to donate their time and puts them in touch with not-for-profit organisations looking for volunteers.

It promotes volunteering through local community festivals as well as talks and presentations to various groups.

Centre chief executive Michelle Martin said: “Something like this really helps to raise the profile of our charity.

"Being asked to help recruit for London Ambassadors shows our work is being recognised.

“Everyone has really pulled together and we have been able to run eight sessions a day, five days a week, staffed by our own volunteers.”