EDDIE IZZARD
SM_issue4_2015
SM_issue4_2015
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Izzard had a high profile<br />
role in recruiting<br />
London 2012 Games<br />
Makers – work that<br />
continues with Join In<br />
was also the people of Britain, and the<br />
volunteers who took time out to support<br />
me. People I’d never met before.”<br />
HELPING OUT<br />
Izzard takes his Join In responsibilities<br />
very seriously and regularly appears on<br />
TV and other media promoting the push<br />
for more volunteers. The latest campaign<br />
he’s lending his time – and considerable<br />
help – to launched earlier this year.<br />
The #BigHelpOut, organised in partnership<br />
with the BBC’s Get Inspired<br />
programme and paralympic champion<br />
Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson, aims to find<br />
10,000 new helpers for sport in the lead<br />
up to December’s BBC Sports Personality<br />
of the Year gala.<br />
For Izzard, the challenge is not just<br />
to educate people about the joys of<br />
volunteering, but to give them the<br />
information they need to get involved<br />
helping out in the first place.<br />
“I think there are many people out<br />
there who don’t actually realise how<br />
much sport relies on volunteers. Good<br />
people who, if we can engage them,<br />
would be more than happy to do their<br />
bit. There are also people sitting on their<br />
couches, wanting to help but not knowing<br />
where to start – as they don’t have any<br />
contact with sports clubs.<br />
“People volunteer because they want<br />
to help and when they do they usually<br />
find they enjoy it. You don’t have to be<br />
good at sport to become a volunteer<br />
– which comes as a revelation to some<br />
people. Therefore, it’s important to<br />
make sure more people know that their<br />
help is needed – and that taking part is<br />
something they’ll enjoy.”<br />
Details: www.joininuk.org<br />
sportsmanagement.co.uk issue 4 2015 © Cybertrek 2015 9