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Natalie Corbett (Reporter): The 2011 Sunday Mail-Suncorp Bridge to Brisbane Fun Run saw
a volunteer cast of hundreds give up their Sunday morning to band together and help make
the annual event a huge success.
This year, the fun run was supporting an incredibly worthy charity in Legacy. Over $320 000 was
raised by 42 571 participants. Legacy’s aim is to support the families of deceased
defence force veterans, including those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. They assist
over 100 000 widows and 1,900 children each year.
Karen and Norm: We’ve been in the Bridge to Brisbane but this year we decided to be
volunteers for Legacy. We were both in the Air Force, the RAAF, we just thought we’d
like to give back to Legacy this year as volunteers.
Natalie Corbett: Volunteers at the event were involved in a number of tasks including serving
fruit and beverages to the participants post-run, handing out free t-shirts and newspapers,
collecting timing chips and marshalling runners both around the course and the finishing precinct.
They were easily identifiable throughout the event with bright red shirts.
Breanna: I’m doing the t-shirt stand, so we’re giving out papers and t-shirts to
pretty much all the runners.
Natalie Corbett: Of course, managing a large team of volunteers for a major event can be
challenging, but the volunteer managers at the Bridge to Brisbane handled the situation
with ease, and their efforts did not go unnoticed by the participants.
Rob Gluch: The main thing for any volunteering event is communication. Right from the very
start when the volunteers register, you’ve got to keep getting information out to them
as quick as you can and as much as you can to keep them fully informed.
Event participant: Everything runs really smoothly, it’s been really professionally
organised, I enjoyed it very much!
Natalie Corbett: For those considering volunteering at the event next year, or other large community
events, the volunteers spoke highly of their experience.
Breanna: It’s just enjoyable and you get to meet lots of new people!
Group of volunteers: We are very glad to be involved.
Rob Gluch: I think that everyone who does volunteering work gets a lot out of it. They’ve
always made the event work. It’s the experience that these people bring to the event and I
think this is where big events really benefit. Many hands make light work!
Natalie Corbett, Volunteering Queensland TV News