Kelly Holmes hails the spirit of 2012 as her mentors win a Jubilee award

 
12 December 2012

Dame Kelly Holmes today revealed her delight at her charity winning a Queen’s Diamond Jubilee award and called for the spirit of 2012 to mobilise a new age of volunteering.

The double Olympian used Britain’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes to help motivate youngsters from deprived areas who then go on to mentor others in the same situation.

Hers is one of 60 organisations to be recognised. She said the award was “brilliant”, adding: “The fact that it was the Queen’s Jubilee and it’s recognition for voluntary organisations and charity organisations is very apt. I was delighted my charity was honoured.”

The Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust ran the 2012 young leaders programme. About 100 volunteers who were mentored by athletes including Paralympics judo bronze medallist Ben Quilter and swimmers Ross Davenport and Adam Whitehead became “Games Makers” during the Olympics.

“Our work is about helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds get back into employment, education or volunteering,” she said “They feel they are no one because of the environment they are in. When you see them after the programme, it’s like they are different people.”

The nationwide project included schemes in Walthamstow and Hounslow and estimates that about 3,500 people have benefited as a result of the trained mentors going back into their communities. Dame Kelly hopes to retain the enthusiasm for other big national events. “I’m president of the Commonwealth Games England and I’m keen that we as a nation identify some volunteers who can be part of our team and go up to Glasgow,” she said.

“I would like to see more recognition for the voluntary sector — a kind of unsung heroes event. It would be really nice if it was a government or community-led recognition, and making sure that for each big event we host, the volunteers who came out of 2012 are the first port of call.”

Other recipients of the award were Locog’s Games Makers and Boris Johnson’s Team London ambassadors, who gave travel advice to Games spectators. St John Ambulance, Sea Cadets and the Scout Association were also honoured. Holmes said: “The whole year was the year of the volunteer. Every day I’m meeting people who were Games Makers and volunteers for 2012. They are so proud, they still walk around in their tops.”

Nick Hurd, minister for civil society, said: “The Olympic Games brought volunteering firmly, and deservedly, into the spotlight. The stories behind these awards show what people can achieve when they come together and I hope they will inspire more people to come forward.”

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