John Lewis sponsors BT Paralympic World Cup
John Lewis has signed up as sponsor of the event volunteering programme for The BT Paralympic World Cup.
The retailer said that the sponsorship would build on its existing commitment to sport in the run up to London 2012 through its Partners in Sport programme.
Designed to put something back into the community through sport, the initiative has provided sponsorship for numerous London 2012 hopefuls and given John Lewis Partners (staff) the opportunity to train as sports coaches.
As part of its association with the BT Paralympic World Cup, 50 Partners from John Lewis and Waitrose will have the opportunity to volunteer for various roles at the event including competition venue assistants for event services, VIPs and media, and transport liaison. Furthermore, the sponsorship will provide funds for bespoke customer service training at the volunteer training day, a volunteer celebration following the event and volunteer goodie bags.
Simon Wardell, development manager, Partners in Sport, John Lewis Partnership, said: ‘We are delighted to be able to support the BT Paralympic World Cup and I know that our Partners are looking forward to the opportunity to help out at such an exciting event.
He added: ‘As a business, we are already engaged in lots of activities in the run up to London 2012, whether it be through John Lewis’s sponsorship as the official department store provider to London 2012 or, through our Partners in Sport programme.’
BT Paralympic World Cup spokesperson, Mark de St Croix, commented: ‘We are delighted to welcome John Lewis Partnership on board as the first official sponsor of the BT Paralympic World Cup 2011 volunteering programme in the event’s seven year history.
‘Volunteers are crucial to the event’s success and it could not take place without their dedicated help and support throughout the competition. John Lewis’s involvement has added great value to the programme including the addition of a post-event volunteer celebration in the John Lewis Trafford Store.’
The BT Paralympic World Cup is the largest annual international multi-sport competition in elite disability sport and will be held in Manchester from 23 to 28 May 2011.
