Volunteer For Bike Festival Through Wimbledon

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Help out with cycling festival

The Prudential RideLondon festival of cycling, is calling on Merton volunteers to help in various roles across London and Surrey on August 9 and 10.

Anyone who would like to volunteer in a range of roles at the RideLondon festival this summer is encouraged to get in touch with Volunteer Centre Merton on 020 8640 7355 or email info@volunteercentremerton.org.uk.

A total of approximately 3,400 volunteers – keen cyclists, local residents or volunteers with no cycling experience – are needed over the weekend to take on a variety of roles such as wayfinders, pedestrian crossing point marshals, start marshals, yellow flag marshals, distribution of goody bags, rider support and more. Full training will be provided as required.

With volunteering opportunities including being involved in helping 50,000 riders to enjoy the traffic-free Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle event in central London on Saturday 9 August or playing a part in the Prudential RideLondon London-Surrey events on Sunday 10 August, there is a volunteer role for everyone.

Volunteers will be able to choose locations and shift times at either the Prudential RideLondon FreeCycle event in central London on Saturday 9 August and in London and Surrey at the Prudential RideLondon-Surrey 100 and Prudential RideLondon-Surrey Classic on Sunday 10 August. All volunteers will be provided with an official t-shirt, cap, bag and lunch.

The Sunday event Sunday race will pass through Wimbledon town centre on the return leg from the Surrey Hills, after cyclists have already travelled from the Olympic stadium, out to Surrey before heading back to the finish line at the Mall via Raynes Park.

The last incline of the race is up Wimbledon Hill towards Wimbledon common. The amateur cycle ride will be swiftly followed by the professional men's race on the same day.

Merton Council's cabinet member for community and culture Councillor Nick Draper said: "Like so many other events that have taken place in and around Merton, volunteers are really the driving force behind big festivals like RideLondon. As well as being at the heart of all the festivities, volunteers help make sure that the event runs smoothly with a great atmosphere.

"Modern London depends on volunteers to make it the vibrant city it is, and that’s especially true in our wonderful borough. I would encourage fellow-residents to get in touch with Volunteer Centre Merton to see what kind of volunteering opportunities are available for RideLondon and for many, many other opportunities in Merton."

Event Director Hugh Brasher said: "We already have more than 2,000 volunteers signed up for 2014, which is fantastic. The enthusiasm of the volunteers last year was one of the outstanding features of the event and played a huge part in making it such a success. The feedback we’ve had from last year’s volunteers overwhelmingly shows that they really enjoyed their critical role in making Prudential RideLondon a world-class event. We look forward to working with the volunteer team this year in creating another memorable weekend for cycling."

June 18, 2014