For six weeks in 2012, all eyes will be on the 30th Olympic and Paralympic Games. A unique, cross-sector coalition of organisations has launched a campaign which harnesses the inspirational power of the games:
“We believe the games can inspire positive action across the country and help to make the games more than just six weeks, more than just sport and more than just London. A promise was made in Singapore when the UK bid for the games to leave a lasting social legacy and we are now joining forces to keep this promise.
“Our campaign is called the 25th Hour. It has been developed in partnership with v – the National Young Volunteers’ Service – and will inspire millions of people of all ages to give time to their communities before, during and after the games. As a nation, we already give billions of hours to the causes and passions that matter most to us. We’re going to celebrate these people and motivate millions more to join them. One-third of people – and almost half of young people – say that they would give their time to an Olympic-inspired activity. Through the 25th Hour, we will convert that energy into meaningful action all over the country. The 25th Hour will become shorthand for the time we give to others.
“We want to build on the UK’s proud tradition of supporting a thriving charitable sector, using our existing expertise and experience to ensure that the benefits of hosting the games reach everyone, everywhere. That is why we’re pledging our support to the 25th Hour. To play your part, visit www.the25thhour.org”
Rt Hon Tessa Jowell MP, Minister for the Olympic and Paralympic Games
Lord Coe, Chairman, London 2012 Organising Committee
Terry Ryall, Chief Executive, v, The National Young Volunteers’ Service
Phil Lane, Chief Executive, Paralympics GB
Niels De Vos, Chief Executive, UK Athletics
Ian Drake, Chief Executive, British Cycling
Paul King, Chief Executive, Amateur Boxing Association of England
Robert Sullivan, Head of Public Affairs,The Football Association
David Collier, Chief Executive, England and Wales Cricket Board
Francis Baron, Chief Executive, Rugby Football Union
Nigel Wood, Chief Executive, Rugby Football League
Mark Hardie, Project Leader, Access Sport
Sue Campbell CBE, Chair, UK Sport
Colin Chaytors, Chief Executive, English Federation of Disability Sport
John Herbert, Chief Executive, London Coaching Foundation
Tim Lamb, Chief Executive, CCPR
Sir Nicholas Young, Chief Executive, British Red Cross
Thomas Hughes-Hallett, Chief Executive, Marie Curie Cancer Care
Peter Hollins, Chief Executive, British Heart Foundation
Harpal Kumar, Chief Executive, Cancer Research UK
Ciarán Devane, Chief Executive, Macmillan Cancer Support
Samia al Qadhi, Chief Executive, Breast Cancer Care
Joyce Moseley, Chief Executive, Catch22
Dr Justin Davis-Smith, Chief Executive, Volunteering England
George Thomson, Chief Executive, Volunteer Development Scotland
Graham Benfield, Chief Executive, Wales Council for Voluntary Action
Wendy Osborne OBE, Director, Volunteer Development Agency
Kevin Curley, Chief Executive, National Association for Voluntary and Community Action
Helen Walker, Chief Executive, TimeBank
Fiona Dawe OBE, Chief Executive, Youthnet
John Bateman, Chief Executive, UK Youth
Tony Bennett, Chief Executive, Clubs for Young People
Peter Westgarth, Chief Executive, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Julie Whelan, Chief Executive, Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust
Caroline Diehl, Chief Executive, Media Trust
Tom Flood CBE, Chief Executive, BTCV
Roger Hanbury, Chief Executive, The Waterways Trust
Helen Phillips, Chief Executive, Natural England
Bob Satchwell, Director, Society of Editors
Cllr Chris White, Chair Culture, Tourism and Sport Board, Local Government Association
Organisations backing the campaign include v – The National Young Volunteers’ Service, ParalympicsGB, UK Athletics, British Cycling, Amateur Boxing Association of England, The Football Association, England and Wales Cricket Board, Rugby Football Union, Access Sport, UK Sport, English Federation of Disability Sport, London Coaching Foundation, CCPR, British Red Cross, Marie Curie Cancer Care, British Heart Foundation, Cancer Research UK, Macmillan Cancer Support, Breast Cancer Care, Catch22, Volunteering England, Volunteer Development Scotland, Wales Council for Voluntary Action, Volunteer Development Agency, National Association for Voluntary and Community Action, Youthnet, UK Youth, Clubs for Young People, Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, Dame Kelly Holmes Legacy Trust, Media Trust, BTCV, The Waterways Trust, Natural England and Society of Editors.