Special Olympics Leicester Games Organising Committee announced last week that 1,000 volunteers have signed up to the National Summer Games in Leicester this July. The volunteer milestone was reached just days after the celebrations to mark the 200 day countdown to the opening ceremony, and represents two-thirds of the 1,500 volunteers target being recruited to ensure the success of the Games.

Jill Hay was the 1,000th volunteer to register and is eagerly awaiting the experience in July: I think it's fantastic that the Games will offer Special Olympics athletes the chance to show what they can achieve it's a really positive occasion and I wanted to get involved. Seeing people's successes will be a great reward and I'm looking forward to feeling part of it by helping out in July.

Volunteers are fundamental to the success of the Games, as support is needed for virtually every aspect of running the event. Volunteering roles include supporting visiting teams and their families, assisting at sporting events, and helping with transport and making the sandwiches,with Games organisers saying applications have been received from people with a range of expertise.

Volunteers are the public face of the Games and well-briefed volunteers with a positive and friendly attitude will play a significant role in making the Games a success. Previous events have shown that if the volunteers have enjoyed the experience, many will want to continue their involvement in Special Olympics following the event itself. The Games can therefore leave a legacy that will be of benefit to the city of Leicester's Special Olympics programme.

Over the coming weeks, Special Olympics Leicester volunteering teamwill begin the work of matching potential volunteers to specific rolesand the training will then follow in March. To sign up as a volunteerfor Special Olympics GB National Summer Games visit the Volunteers pages.