People in Moray are being urged to help emulate the successes of Olympic and Commonwealth Games volunteers.
Having looked on at the massive role in the success of the games in Glasgow of the army of volunteers, the organisers of a major world sporting event taking place in Moray and the Highlands is calling on people to step forward and do for it what the clyde-siders did for Glasgow.
Competitors and spectators from throughout the world will return to Scotland one year from now to take part in the World Orienteering Championships 2015 (WOC2015).
WOC2015 will be based in Inverness with events throughout the Highlands including Forres, and will run in parallel with the Scottish6Days event which is already widely recognised as one of the world’s top multiday competitions.
Well over 5000 spectators and participants are expected at what will be a festival of world orienteering, drawing participants and visitors from around 50 nations.
For one week from August 1, 2015 events will be held throughout the Highlands with championship long, middle and relay races being held at Darnaway and Glen Affric while Forres and Nairn will be used for sprint events.
Alongside WOC2015 the Scottish6Days events will be held in Keppernach, Darnaway and Glen Strathfarrar, with the final day staged at Glen Affric.
Paul McGreal, WOC2015 event director, said: “Scotland was rightly proud at the success of the Commonwealth Games showcasing to the world all that is good about our country and the people who live in it.
“A major part of that success was the clyde-siders, the wonderful army of volunteers from every age group and walk of life who epitomised all that is great about our nation.
“Now it is the opportunity of the Highlands to host a world sporting event with WOC2015 coming to the Highlands in August next year.
“These championships have only ever been held twice before in Scotland and now return after an absence of 16 years.
“While our requirements may not be on the scale of the London Olympics or the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, as in these events we require our own army of volunteers to help us showcase the north of Scotland to the sporting world.”
Linda Cairns, who is the volunteer manager WOC2015, added: “We have a wide range of opportunities to suit most people based on their skills, time available and their location.
“A knowledge of orienteering is not a requirement – we need people of all skills and age groups who can bring their experience and enthusiasm to help ensure that the thousands of athletes and visitors to the Highlands enjoy a trouble-free and exciting experience.
“Volunteers are welcome from throughout the country but will particularly suite people from the Highlands and Moray areas where the championships are taking place.”
WOC2015 is organised by British Orienteering in partnership with EventScotland, the International Orienteering Federation, The Highland Council, Moray Council, Scottish Orienteering and Scottish6Days Orienteering.
Further information on volunteer opportunities at the WOC2015 and Scottish6Days can be found online at http://www.woc2015.org/volunteers.