Games Makers

[Tue 29th Aug]

Four members of Blyth Running Club have been involved with the Olympic Games as Games Makers volunteers. Alison Singer was selected to work in the athletes pharmacy which was based in the Athletes Village in the Olympic Park. Alison was involved in dispensing prescriptions for both athletes and non-athletes, and assessing and prescribing medicines for typical over-the-counter complaints, such as headaches, sore throats — from supporters and team coaches (straining their voices cheering on their athletes). The pharmacy was open from 6.30am to 11.15pm and became busier as the games progressed, with athletes coming in for treatment for sporting injuries as competitions finished. The late shift was from 2.30pm to 11:15pm. Alison said “Working in the pharmacy was an amazing experience and nothing could have prepared me for how exciting it would be. I definitely caught Olympic fever while working there and am so proud to be a part of it. I have worked with a fantastic group of people and it was one of the most satisfying jobs I have done and did not want to leave at the end of my shift! I will never forget my experiences and the friends I made.”

Craig Birch’s role as a Games maker took him to the football at Newcastle where he was part of the team which was looking after the practice facilities for the teams, which included Brazil. Craig described the Games maker experience as “brilliant and amazing, with everybody in the team working together and making the whole experience unforgettable”. Craig is now working at the Paralympics as a Technical Official in the Olympic Stadium. One of Blyth's Junior members, Lewis Jansen was also selected as a Games Makers at the football and acted as a ball boy at St. James Park.

Keith Willshire was selected to work in the Olympic Stadium as part of the Athletics Field of Play team, his duties included putting out the hurdles, erecting and dismantling the High Jump and Pole Vault. Keith said “Even at 10:00 on the first day the atmosphere inside the stadium was electric with 80,000 spectators there. Every British athlete was cheered thunderously and the stadium just erupted whenever Jess Ennis or Mo Farah were competing, but whenever Usain Bolt entered the stadium it seemed like a million camera’s were taking photo’s. Like Alison and Craig I will never forget the experience and friendships made.”