Volunteer at our fundraising events
Volunteer at 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.
Register your interest to volunteer
In 2009 our generous volunteers saved us over £17,000 in staff costs. Oxfam works in over 70 countries across the world and with £17,000 Oxfam can provide safe water for over 19,418 people or build 10 classrooms or over 40 libraries - so your help really is making a difference all over the world. Not only that, volunteers also have a huge impact on our event participants.
“The atmosphere was amazing and the volunteers along the course really got our team through it, they are one of the lasting memories I will take away from the day.”
2009 Trailtrekker participant
“I cannot overstate how amazing, kind and motivating all of the volunteers at the checkpoints were.”
Trailwalker 2009 participant
There are a number of events you could volunteer at, just pick one or more that suit you. Volunteering at an event is a chance to have fun, make new friends and be part of something amazing. Just have a look at what was said last year.
“Trailtrekker was a really great event to be part of: great volunteers, great atmosphere and a lot of cheering.”
Trailtrekker 2009 volunteer
“Seeing the delight on the faces of the walkers taking part in the Trailwalker as we cheered and clapped them on their arrival at checkpoint 2 was very rewarding.”
Trailwalker 2009 volunteer
“Providing support for others can also enhance your life.”
London Marathon volunteer
Volunteer at Trailtrekker in the beautiful Yorkshire Dales 4th – 6th June 2010
Register your interest to volunteer at this event.
There is now a sister Trailwalker in the north of England, known as 'Trailtrekker' and we are going to need your help once more.
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 the stunning landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales.
We are looking for willing volunteers 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. Just fill in your details to register your interest in volunteering at this charity event and we’ll be in touch closer to the time of the event with more information.
“I had an absolute blast - so many people working hard and putting in loads of effort to help those less fortunate. Looking forward to next year already and still haven't stopped smiling.”
Ken Syrett, Trailtrekker Volunteer 2009
Volunteer with Team Oxfam at the Virgin London Marathon 25th April 2010
Register your interest to volunteer at this event.
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 volunteer for Oxfam by cheering on runners along the route or lending a helping hand at the Oxfam post race reception?
Smiling faces and cheering crowds is just what our runners need to lift their spirits along the route – so 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 volunteering job for you!
Volunteer at our Oxfam London Marathon post race reception and have the chance to see the London Marathon first hand from the finish line grandstand! Other post-race volunteering 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, so if you fancy this fantastic opportunity please register your interest to volunteer and we’ll be in touch with more information closer to the event day.
Volunteer at Trailwalker in the South Downs 16th – 18th July 2010
Register your interest to volunteer at this event.
This amazing non-stop 100km walking challenge across the South Downs is organised in partnership with the Queen's Gurkha Signals and all the money raised is shared between Oxfam, the Gurkha Welfare Trust and 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.
To register your interest in volunteering at this life changing event please fill in your details and we’ll be in touch closer to the time with more information.
“It is amazingly uplifting to see all those people walking such a long way for the benefit of others and it was great just to be part of it.”
Trailwalker 2009 Volunteer
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 and Trailtrekker only)
What is the event all about?
London Marathon
The London Marathon is an annual event which involved 35,000 people taking part in 2009. 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. 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 and this year is no exception.
For more information about Oxfam’s involvement in the London Marathon please go to www.oxfam.org.uk/marathon
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 and the Army Benevolent Fund. Our principal sponsor is State Street.
More information about the event can be found at www.oxfam.org.uk/trailwalker
Trailtrekker
Trailtrekker is another 100km challenge, this time held in the north. It involves teams of four trekking 100 km across the Yorkshire Dales in under 30 hours. All the money raised funds 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 spots 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 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 congratualted 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Can I stay overnight?
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.
