Volunteer at our events

Have a fun day out

Make friends and know you're making a difference when you volunteer at one of our events.

Register your interest in volunteering at our 2012 events

Use our form below to register your interest in volunteering at Oxfam events and we will be in touch!

Running events 2012

Over 200 runners will be raising huge amounts of cash for Oxfam at London Marathon 2012. Be there to cheer them round the course or thoroughly pamper them at the Post Race Party. For something more local we've got races coming up in Reading, Brighton and Edinburgh this Spring.

Sign up now to volunteer at the London Marathon!

Trailtrekker 2012

2012 is going to be a record breaking year with an expected 1200 walkers, twice as many as 2011! Get on board, invite your friends – with an all new volunteer chill out area and festival finish line to boot, it's all set to be a cracking event in the stunning Yorkshire Dales!

Register your interest to volunteer at Trailtrekker 2012

Trailwalker UK 2012

Now in its 11th year in the UK, Trailwalker 2012 will sell out again with over 2000 walkers. Share a cup of tea with the Gurkhas and enjoy the South Downs scenery whilst you cheer on our valiant teams.

Register your interest to volunteer at Trailwalker 2012

Volunteer at Trailtrekker in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales – 25-27 May 2012

"I'd really recommend volunteering at Trailtrekker and would definitely do it again. The atmosphere was great… we enjoyed ourselves so much that we did extra shifts!" - Kim Potter, Trailtrekker volunteer

Apply now to volunteer at Trailtrekker

What's the event all about?

Trailtrekker is Oxfam's 100km challenge starting and finishing in Skipton, North Yorkshire. The main event involves teams of four trekking 40km, 65km or 100 km across the Yorkshire Dales in under 30 hours. The money raised funds Oxfam’s projects all over the world to help relieve poverty and suffering. Our 2011 event has currently raised over £300,000!

Find out more about Trailtrekker

What does it take to be a Trailtrekker volunteer?

• Enthusiasm. The Trailtrekkers need your help and support to help them make it round the challenging course.
• Stamina. Trailtrekker is a round-the-clock event and we need volunteers to work day and night shifts - the night shifts provide some of the most magical experiences for walkers and volunteers alike.
• Team work. Our Trailtrekker volunteers work together and show great team spirit.

You must also be 18 by 25 May 2012.

What will I get back?

• The chance to be part of something amazing – hard work, but fun and very worthwhile
• Helping transform thousands of lives around the world
• A way to make your CV stand out from the crowd
• An eye-catching Oxfam T-shirt
• Free meals and camping during the event

What will I be doing?

Trailtrekker volunteers play an essential part in the smooth running of the event from start to finish. You could register walkers at the start point, track walkers at 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 them across the finish line - whatever you can do to help will make a difference.

We really appreciate any time you can offer, and the more shifts you can do the better. More shifts means you’re playing an even more major part in Trailtrekker 2012, and allows us to run the event much more efficiently so we can send even more money to those in need.

Find out more about Trailtrekker.

What roles are available?

General volunteers
Be part of the team providing first-class support to the walkers. Read the general volunteer role description [PDF, 116 KB] to find out more about being a general volunteer.

Specialist roles
We’re looking for experienced event volunteers to take on more senior roles. Please contact trailtrekkervolunteers@oxfam.org.uk if you would like the additional responsibility of being a location co-ordinator or deputy, looking after the needs of all volunteers at that location.

Where are volunteers needed?

Either at Aireville School in Skipton (where the event starts and finishes), or at any of the locations around the course: Gargrave, Malham, Fountains Fell, Horton in Ribblesdale, Cam Farm, Deepdale, Buckden, Coniston or Hetton.

Find out more about Trailtrekker.

Volunteer at the 2012 Virgin London Marathon

If you'd like to be part of the action this year, sign up now to volunteer at the 2012 Virgin London Marathon!

Volunteer at the 2012 Virgin London Marathon

Find out more about the Virgin London Marathon

Volunteer at Trailwalker in the South Downs – 13-15 July 2012

Oxfam combine with the formidable Queens Gurkha Signals to host Trailwalker on the stunning South Downs with over 500 inspirational teams competing to walk 100km in 30 hours.

We're looking for lively volunteers to check in, pamper, cheer on and congratulate our brave walkers. Sign up to be involved in 2012!

Find out more about Trailwalker.

Frequently asked questions

What is the event all about?
Where and when 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? (Trailwalker and Trailtrekker only)

What is the event all about?

London Marathon

The London Marathon is one of the most prestigious events in the running calendar with over 35,000 people taking part each year. People take part from all over the world, including elite runners, club runners and those running for charity. Many of London’s major roads are closed to allow particpants to run the 26 mile route across the capital city. Oxfam has had runners take part in aid of our work for many years. Volunteers help cheer our runners around the course, or help out at the post-race reception at the British Academy.

Want to be part of the exciting atmosphere of marathon day? Sign up to volunteer at the London Marathon 2012 now!

Trailwalker

The challenge of Trailwalker is to get teams of four across the 100 km route in less than 30 hours, to raise money to help overcome poverty and suffering around the world. The challenge takes place across the Souths Downs Way between Petersfield and Brighton. It is organised in partnership by Oxfam and the Queen’s Gurkha Signals, in aid of Oxfam, the Gurkha Welfare Trust. Our principal sponsor is State Street.

More information about Trailwalker

Trailtrekker

Trailtrekker is Oxfam’s 100km challenge, starting and finishing in Skipton, north Yorkshire. The main event involves teams of four trekking 100km across the Yorkshire Dales in fewer than 30 hours – but new for 2012, there are two shorter challenges – Silver at 64km, and Bronze at 40km. The money raised funds Oxfam’s projects to help relieve poverty and suffering around the world.

More information about Trailtrekker

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Where and when are the events held?

London Marathon - 22 April 2012

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 spots along the route, and a reception at the British Academy, just off The Mall.

Trailtrekker - 25-27 May 2012

The Trailtrekker route begins and finishes in Skipton, Yorkshire. The circular route cuts across stunning landscapes in the Yorkshire Dales.

Trailwalker - 13-15 July 2012

The route follows the South Downs Way, starting at Queen Elizabeth Country Park near Petersfield and finishing at Brighton Racecourse

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Where will I be working?

London Marathon

There are two areas we need volunteers for – the post-race runners’ reception and the cheering points along the route. The cheering points are vital in ensuring our runners’ feel supported along the route and it boosts their enthusiasm to keep going. We also need volunteers at the Oxfam London Marathon post race reception to ensure that our runners are congratulated and cared for after their tough challenge.

Trailwalker

There are opportunities to volunteer at the start, finish or at the checkpoints along the route. The start point is located at Queen Elizabeth Country Park, Petersfield in Hampshire and the finish point is situated at Brighton Racecourse. There are also 10 checkpoints located along the route which also require volunteers to help support our participants throughout their grueling task.

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.

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Will I have to pay for my own travel expenses?

Oxfam will reimburse you for reasonable travel expenses incurred, but please do try to use the most cost-effective means you can. If travelling by public transport you will need to produce a train or bus ticket or receipt. If you are travelling by car, you will be reimbursed 30p per mile, up to 200 miles; thereafter we cannot cover the cost.

London Marathon

Please note there is no parking available at either cheering points or the post race reception. If we have too many volunteers, we will give priority to those living nearby to keep costs down.

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What will I be doing?

London Marathon

• Cheering Points - 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’ on and encouraging the public to join in and shout for Oxfam
• Runners’ Reception - Welcoming and hosting runners and their supporters, escorting runners to the showers (if available), supporting the sport massage therapists.

Trailwalker / Trailtrekker

Please check specific volunteer roles when they are published closer to the time of the event for full details.

• Start – welcoming and registering participants, selling merchandise, 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 and supporting the commentator.
• 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 much needed cups of tea.

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Will food and drink be provided?

London Marathon

We ask volunteers to provide their own food and drink for the event. There will be food and drink available at the reception however this will only be for the runners. If you are working for more than 5 hours, we are able to reimburse reasonable food costs (£6 or under) however you will need to provide receipt.

Trailwalker

At the start point, there will be a meal on Friday night and a basic cooked breakfast will be provided 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, however you must provide a receipt for this). At the finish traditional Gurkha curry is available throughout the day and night from 18.00 on Saturday. A pasta meal will also be provided at checkpoint 7, but only this checkpoint.

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.

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How long will I be working for?

Shifts times vary for each event. There are a variety of shifts available lasting between 4 and 9 hours. Please check precise shift times for each event closer to the time. We aim to give you regular breaks during these periods, but times will depend on when we are busy.

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Will I get to see the event take place?

London Marathon

If you are cheering on route, then yes – we’ll have cheering points set up along the course. 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 at the start point 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.

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What will I need to bring / wear?

You will be provided with an Oxfam t-shirt 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, additional food and drink especially if not catered for e.g. halal, vegan.

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Can I stay overnight? (Trailwalker and Trailtrekker only)

Trailwalker

Camping will be available at the start point from Friday afternoon until 12 noon on Saturday and at the finish from 1600 Saturday to 1700 Sunday. You will need to bring your own camping equipment. You can also find youth hostel accommodation, which you would need to pay for yourself, at www.hostelworld.com.

Trailtrekker

Camping will be available at the start/finish point from Friday afternoon until 1700 Sunday. You will need to bring your own camping equipment. You can also find B&B accommodation in Skipton, which you would need to pay for yourself, at www.bedandbreakfastsguide.com.

Register to volunteer at Trailtrekker