And so the waiting is over, I’m finally there, the starting line, ready to go. It seems hard to believe it’s almost 2 years since I started on my journey to becoming a Games Maker, when I decided to apply to be a volunteer for the 2012 Olympic games and harder to believe I got here.
Beset by doubts about whether I could do it or not I decided I would always regret not trying and so I applied. If I wasn’t accepted then at least I could say I tried. Application submitted and then the suspense of waiting to hear if I was amongst the 240,00 to be interviewed.
February 2011 and great news, I’ve been invited to attend, along with many others, an interview at Media City Manchester in April, but will I be successful!
With the arrival of January 2012 it seemed I had not been accepted as I had heard many had found out in October. But on 19th January 2012 the email arrived, an offer to be a member of the transport team.
Fantastic!! To be one of the 70,000 lucky volunteers, a once in a lifetime opportunity, for me anyway.
Elation tinged with a little concern, were they expecting me to drive a coach or something, had they read my application form that clearly indicated that would be impossible. Of course they had and being part of the transport team isn’t just about driving.
It was good to meet so many friendly people at the training sessions and learn about the diversity of the work of the transport team.
Once I had my shift pattern I then found I couldn’t get to my venue in time for the start of early shifts or get home from a late finish and was very relieved at the prompt help and changes that were made to accommodate this.
And so having just collected my uniform its finally happening and having found the Games Makers I’ve met at training sessions etc very friendly, watched the Olympics and seen as well as hearing from other Games Makers what a great time everyone seem to have had I am looking forward to it even more even if I am also a little nervous.
I have no doubt I will face some challenges, be extremely tired and may find things I can’t do but unless I try I will never know. I am lucky to have a lot of support from my family without whom I couldn’t have done it. Thank you!
Here come the Paralympic Games and good luck to our fantastic team, I’m sure they will do brilliantly.
DPN Chair, Terri Balon
