Volunteer at our fundraising events
Oxfam hosts fundraising events all over the UK, raising money to help others all over the world. We rely on generous people like you, to give up a few hours of your time to help out at our events, in whatever way you can - it really does make a difference. There are a number of events that you could volunteer at, just pick a time and place that suits you. Volunteering at an event is a chance to have fun, make new friends and be part of something amazing.
See what was said in 2008...
“We were on the night shift, when most walkers were really starting to flag. So it was fantastic to be shouting and cheering at them, and seeing them perk up. I loved it!”
Trailwalker 2008 Volunteer
“The support from others, particularly the Gurkhas and volunteers at each checkpoint was incredibly endearing. The fact that people we had never met, whose names we would never know, would cheer, clap and offer so much encouragement was both uplifting, moving, and unpredictably motivating. It became something to really look forward to.”
Trailwalker 2008 participant
“One of the things that has stuck in my mind is the lovely, lovely chiropodist who at the finish treated my feet with such care and so kindly, will always be remembered fondly.”
Trailwalker 2008 participant
Volunteer up north at Trailtrekker
29 - 31 May 2009
You heard us right, there is now a sister Trailwalker in the north of England, known as Trailtrekker. And guess what - we need your help more than ever.
The challenge for participants is the same - 100km, no stopping, no sleeping. The Trailtrekker route is circular, starting and finishing in Skipton with the trail cutting across stunning landscapes in the Yorkshire Dales.
We are looking for 500 willing volunteers over the course of the weekend to assist in the smooth running of the event from start to finish. You could register walkers at the start point, be in charge of tracking walkers into the checkpoints, or take control of a checkpoint as a co-ordinator. You could also make walkers much needed cups of tea along the route or cheer walkers across the finish line - whatever you can do to help would mean the world to us.
Stay tuned for more information about volunteer roles, shift times and the volunteer registration process.
If you have got any questions about volunteering at the event, just email us at trailtrekkervolunteers@oxfam.org.uk.
Related links
Volunteer down south at Trailwalker
17 - 19 July 2009
The non-stop 100km walking challenge across the South Downs is back! Organised in partnership with the Queen's Gurkha Signals, all money raised is shared between Oxfam, the Gurkha Welfare Trust and, new to 2009, the Army Benevolent Fund. This notorious event is one not to be missed.
Volunteers command important roles across the whole event and really do make a huge difference on the day - watch the participants' faces light up as you cheer them into a checkpoint. You could work alongside the Gurkhas in running a checkpoint, register participants at the start, make walkers much needed cups of tea along the route or cheer our Trailwalkers as they cross the finish line. Whatever you can do to help would mean the world to us.
Stay tuned for more information about volunteer roles, shift times and the volunteer registration process.
If you have got any questions about volunteering at the event, just email us at events@oxfam.org.uk.
Volunteer at the London Marathon – 26 April 2009
Be a part of race day and make our Oxfam runners feel like heroes. If you want a piece of the Marathon action why not cheer our runners along the route or lend a helping hand at the post race reception?
Smiling faces and cheering crowds is just what our runners need to lift their spirits along the route - if you’ve got bags of energy, a good set of lungs and want to be in the thick of the action this could be the job for you!
Volunteer at the post race reception and have the chance to see the Marathon first hand from the finish line grandstand! Other post-race duties include escorting runners to the British Academy or taking runners to the showers (if available) once they have completed the Marathon challenge.
We would love for you to be part of ‘Team Oxfam’ on Marathon day. Please stay tuned for more information about volunteer roles, shift times and the volunteer registration process.
If you have got any questions about volunteering at the event, just email us at events@oxfam.org.uk.
Related links
Frequently asked questions
What is the event all about?
Where are the events held?
Where will I be working?
Will I have to pay for my own travel expenses?
What will I be doing?
Will food and drink be provided?
How long will I be working for?
Will I get to see the event taking place?
What will I need to bring / wear?
Can I stay overnight? (Applicable to Trailwalker only)
What is the event all about?
London Marathon
The London Marathon is an annual event with over 35,000 people taking part in 2007. It is organised by the London Marathon Company and people take part from all over the world, including elite runners, club runners and those running for charity. Oxfam has had runners take part in aid of our work for many years and hopes to have 150 runners on the course in 2008.
Trailwalker
The challenge of Trailwalker is to get your team of four across 100 km in less than 30 hours, to raise money to help overcome poverty and suffering. It is organised in partnership by Oxfam and the Queen’s Gurkha Signals, in aid of Oxfam and the Gurkha Welfare Trust. The principal sponsor is State Street.
All the information about the event can be found at www.oxfam.org.uk/trailwalker
Trailtrekker
The Trailtrekker challenge is to get your team of four across 100 km in less than 30 hours. All the money raised will fund Oxfam’s projects all over the world to help relieve poverty and suffering.
All the information about the event can be found at www.oxfam.org.uk/trailtrekker
Where are the events held?
London Marathon
The course starts at Blackheath and crosses London through Greenwich, Docklands, past Tower Bridge, along Embankment and finishes on The Mall in front of Buckingham Palace. Oxfam has a cheering spot along the route, and a reception at the British Academy, just off The Mall.
Trailwalker
The route follows the South Downs Way, starting at Queen Elizabeth Country Park near Petersfield and finishing at Brighton Racecourse
Trailtrekker
The Trailtrekker route begins and finishes in Skipton, Yorkshire. The circular route cuts across stunning landscapes in the Yorkshire Dales.
Where will I be working?
London Marathon
There are two areas we need volunteers for – the post-race runners’ reception and the cheering spot on the route. The cheering spot is vital in ensuring our runners’ feel supported and it boosts their enthusiasm to keep going.
Trailwalker
There are opportunities to volunteer at the start, finish or at the checkpoints along the route. The start is at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, near Petersfield, Hampshire and the finish at Brighton Racecourse. The checkpoints are at 10 points along the route.
Trailtrekker
There are opportunities to volunteer at the start, finish or checkpoints along the route. Starting and finishing in Skipton, there are 10 checkpoints located in the Yorkshire Dales that need to be staffed by volunteers.
Will I have to pay for my own travel expenses?
Oxfam will reimburse you for your travel expenses, but please do try to use the most cost-effective means you can. If travelling by public transport you need to produce a train or bus ticket or receipt. If you are travelling by personal car, you will be reimbursed 30p per mile, up to 200 miles; thereafter we cannot cover the cost.
London Marathon
There is no parking available at either location. If we have too many volunteers, we will give priority to those living nearby to keep costs down.
What will I be doing?
London Marathon
Please check volunteer roles when they are published, for full details.
- Cheering Spot - Ensuring we have banners, bunting, signs etc to mark where we are. Spotting runners from further up the course and communicating back to the cheering team, cheering runners’, encouraging the public to join in and shout for Oxfam, giving out sweets to runners.
- Runners’ Reception - Welcoming and hosting runners and their supporters, escorting runners to the showers, supporting the sport massage therapists.
Trailwalker / Trailtrekker
Please check volunteer roles when they are published for full details, as it will depend whether you volunteer at the start, finish or checkpoints. But it will include the following:
- Start – welcoming and registering participants, selling merchandise and food vouchers, helping with directions, answering general questions about the event and cheering walkers off the start line!
- Finish - Cheering participants across the finish line, welcoming support crews to the site, assisting with medal presentations, supporting the commentator, serving on the bar.
- Checkpoints – recording walkers’ details as they check-in to the checkpoint, helping walkers with directions to the CPs – particularly valuable at night, cheering participants into the checkpoints, promoting and distributing donated goods, making cups of tea.
Will food and drink be provided?
London Marathon
There will be food and drink available at the reception primarily for the runners and their guests; this will also be available to you. Vegetarians will be provided for, but unfortunately we cannot provide for other dietary requirements.
If you are working at the cheering point for more than 5 hours, we are able to reimburse you for up to £6. You will need to bring your own food or buy it locally.
Trailwalker
At the start, there will be a BBQ on Friday night and basic cooked breakfast on Saturday morning. At the checkpoints, there will be drinks available but you would need to provide your own food (costs for this can be reimbursed up to £6 per shift if you are working more than 5 hours). At the finish there will be a hot curry available throughout the day and night from 18.00 on Saturday. Vegetarians will be provided for, but unfortunately we cannot provide for other dietary requirements. We recommend you bring other snacks and drinks along for your own consumption.
Trailtrekker
Food will be provided at the start and finish, however if you are working at a checkpoint we advise that you bring your own food. Vegetarians will be provided for, but unfortunately we cannot provide for other dietary requirements. We recommend you bring other snacks and drinks along for your own consumption.
How long will I be working for?
There are a variety of shifts available lasting between 4 and 9 hours. We aim to give you regular breaks during this period, but times will depend on when we are busy.
Will I get to see the event take place?
London Marathon
If you are cheering on the route, then yes – we will probably have a position in the Docklands where you will see the runners’ go past twice. It’s a great atmosphere with lots of people. The reception venue overlooks the finish area, but not the finish line. We hope everyone will get the chance to see the finish line, but this does depend on how busy we are on the day.
Trailwalker / Trailtrekker
If you are on the start team you will get the opportunity to see at least one of the starts, at checkpoints you will see the participants coming through, and at the finish you will be watching participants cross the finish line. You are very welcome to go and see the event along the route in your own time.
What will I need to bring / wear?
You will be provided with an Oxfam t-shirt and cap to wear on the day. Please wear comfortable and practical clothing and be prepared for all weathers – bring sun cream as well as a waterproof coat! Wear comfortable shoes as you will be on your feet for most of the day.
You may find it helpful to bring the following items: waterproof clothing, sun cream, warm layers, umbrella, mobile phone, any essential medication, any special food not catered for e.g. halal, vegan.
Can I stay overnight?
