Sports students from Lewisham College came out in force to support the Vitality Big Half Marathon on Sunday 10 March, with 22 students volunteering their time to ensure that the event was a huge success.

The students, who are studying on sports courses at the College, were chosen to represent Lewisham borough at the event, along with students from Greenwich, Lewisham and Tower Hamlets. They worked in teams to provide much-needed support to the 13,000 runners who took part, including setting up and taking down equipment, manning the relay change overs and water stations along the 13-mile route, and giving out finishers’ medals.

In the run-up to The Big Half, the students undertook special volunteering training organised by London Youth Games, with each achieving a GamesForce Award in Sports Volunteering. With this award under their belt, the students are now eligible to volunteer at future London Youth Games events, and many have already signed up to support the London Marathon on 21 April.

Lucy Baines, Volunteering and Workforce Officer at the London Youth Games Foundation, says: “I’d like to say a massive thank you to the students who volunteered at The Big Half. The group I worked with was absolutely fantastic and great to have as part of the team.”

Loretta Turner, Progress Tutor at the College, comments: “All our students acted extremely professionally throughout the day and played a big part in ensuring that the event ran smoothly. Getting involved with the London Youth Games has been a great opportunity for our students to get volunteering experience and support the local community.”