Glasgow 2018: multi-sport European Championships seek 3,000-plus volunteers

People from across Scotland and the UK have applied to volunteer at Glasgow 2018

There is not long left to apply to be a volunteer at the inaugural European Championships in Glasgow next year.

The event comprises the European Championships of seven major sports with six of them - aquatics, cycling, gymnastics, rowing, triathlon & golf - held in Glasgow from 2-12 August, 2018.

Co-host city Berlin hosts the European athletics from 7-12 August.

Applications to become a volunteer for a variety of roles for the events in Glasgow close on 31 July, 2017.

Media operations, spectator and sport services, cultural liaison and travel and transport are just some of the roles that the organisers are recruiting thousands of volunteers for.

Glasgow 2018 have been "blown away" by the interest shown in volunteering roles with applications from across Scotland and the UK from people of all ages and backgrounds.

Volunteer roles are hugely varied, ranging from travel and transportation to cultural liaison positions

• Croftfoot based Bobby Pollok started volunteering back in 1979. He says his greatest achievement was carrying the Queen's Baton through Glasgow during the 2014 Commonwealth Games. Volunteering has also lead him to meet the Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace!

• Ever since he helped to improve a forest pathway in Castlemilk, Jim Duffy has had the volunteering bug. Living north of the River Clyde in Tollcross, he says volunteering is in his nature and makes him feel better about himself.

• Carolyn McKinnon is from Clarkston. A keen runner, she was inspired to start volunteering after helping out at a Women's 10k while injured. Since then she has volunteered at multiple athletics events, the Commonwealth Games, the Homeless World Cup and the Davis Cup events in Glasgow.

• Originally from Kenya, Alex Deng started volunteering soon after he moved to Scotland. Now based in Cadder, he has volunteered at the Homeless World Cup, the Scottish Refugee Council, and even met Prince Charles through his volunteer work at the Princes Trust.

Many of the venues used at the 2014 Commonwealth Games will host the 2018 event and Sanjeev Kohli - Glasgow-based comedian and volunteer ambassador - said he was looking forward to a rekindling of the spirit of 2014, both through athletes and volunteers.

"There is a real selflessness to the people in Glasgow and we never see anybody lost or in trouble without offering help," he said. "I have no doubt those values will be reflected in our volunteers.

"I've been lucky enough to perform in front of Glasgow crowds and I can tell you the athletes are in for a treat. But just as important are the people behind the scenes welcoming visitors and making sure everything runs to plan."

Aaron Fernandez volunteers all over the city and is proud to be involved in Glasgow 2018

The recruitment campaign also leans on those with previous experience - 'Volunteer Champions' - who are helping to promote volunteering to those who may not have considered it before.

Volunteer champion Aaron Fernandez is looking forward to sampling the hype leading up to the championships.

"When people become excited about a big event in Glasgow it makes you feel proud of your home," said Fernandez, who has volunteered all over the city.

"I love the student life in Glasgow. Due to the close proximity between the University of Glasgow, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow Caledonian University and the City of Glasgow College, the city is abuzz with life and you will never run out of interesting people to talk to."

The Glasgow/Berlin 2018 European Championships will be shown live on the BBC, with additional coverage on the BBC Sport website.