Invictus Games volunteers sought to welcome veterans to city

Two thousand volunteers from across the world are being sought to help with the Invictus Games in Birmingham next July.

Up to 550 wounded, injured and unwell service personnel and veterans from 25 nations are due to take part in the tournament, which will run from 10 - 17 July.

A quarter of the roles are to be given to residents of Birmingham and the West Midlands, with a further 25% reserved for people from the armed forces community.

"It's another major event in Birmingham and it gives us the opportunity to go and support our service personnel and our veterans – give them the welcome they deserve, it's important," said Maureen Levermore from King's Heath.

She was a volunteer at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022, and was one of 50 people who pulled Ozzy the bull for the opening ceremony, an experience she described as "awesome".

"It's a memory that will last forever, and I encourage anyone to go and volunteer," she told BBC Radio WM.

The Birmingham games will mark the biennial event being held in the UK for the first time since its inauguration in London in 2014.

It will take place at the National Exhibition Centre and Sandwell Aquatics Centre, where participants will compete in 12 adaptive sports, including pickleball, wheelchair rugby and swimming.

Levermore said she would be signing up to volunteer at the Invictus Games.

"I chose to volunteer because it gives me the opportunity to give back to the community," Levermore said.

"I was born in Birmingham and I still live here, so for me, it gives me that opportunity to give back to our community, it helps me to develop new skills… create lasting friendship and maintain a positive mindset.

"It's like a domino effect, you tell your family and friends, and then they tell their family and friends," she added.

Volunteers must be over 18 and available for a suggested five rostered sessions between 10 and 18 July .

Applications remain open until 14 December, with volunteers contacted to let them know if they have been successful between February and March.

Venue-specific training will be held at the NEC in June, with uniforms provided.

Games CEO Helen Helliwell said the volunteers were "the spirit" of every event who "create the moments that competitors, families, friends and spectators remember long after the Games have ended".

"As a volunteer, you're not just supporting an event, you'll play a part in someone's recovery journey, and help shape an inclusive, community-driven Games where every interaction matters."

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