Published at 13:19, Monday, 18 June 2012

THE athletes will get all the glory, but the London Olympics would not be possible without gold medal performances from the volunteers behind the scenes.

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One of the 70,000 people giving up their time to ensure the games are a success was in Furness last week to impress upon students the importance of volunteering.

The Reverend Robert Draycott spoke to pupils at South Walney Infant and Nursery School, Greengate Infant, Nursery and Pre-School and Sir John Barrow School on Wednesday.

Being both a London resident and fluent in Portuguese, the retired reverend will be attached to the Brazilian Olympic team for an entire month.

Mr Draycott, whose daughter Becs Ensoll teaches at South Walney, showed students his official uniform and told them how important it was to donate their time.

South Walney headteacher Nancy McKinnell said the children were very receptive to his message and were now motivated to become volunteers in the future.

“He talked about his role as a supporter of the team, but he also related that to children volunteering for things,” she said.

“He said that, even though you’re an unpaid person, the rewards you get being a volunteer are enormous.”

Mrs McKinnell said excitement about the Olympics was building among the children and now they would have someone to cheer on.

“His visit brought the Olympics closer to home for the children.”

Published by http://www.walneylocal.co.uk