Scottish athletics legend champions Edinburgh volunteers
Scotland’s most decorated track and field athlete, Eilidh Doyle, has hailed volunteers as “the heartbeat of the Games” with National Lottery operator Allwyn announced as the Official Volunteer Learning and Development Partner of the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Allwyn’s partnership will support more than 3,000 volunteers who will help deliver the Games when they return to Glasgow from 23 July to 2 August 2026.
Doyle, a three-time Commonwealth Games silver medallist, including at Glasgow 2014 and Team Scotland flagbearer at Gold Coast 2018, will work with Allwyn as an ambassador to champion the vital role volunteers play behind the scenes.
Doyle said: “As an athlete, I can tell you that volunteers are integral to the success of a Games. They are the brilliantly efficient army working behind the scenes to ensure everything runs on time and to create a legacy of community impact. I have discovered the joy of volunteering for myself, supporting as a volunteer within schools and Scottish Athletics.
“Glasgow is one of the most passionate sporting cities on the planet, and I’m sure the volunteers will enhance its reputation as a host of world-class events. I can’t wait to help show how our 2026 volunteers will once again be the legends of the Games.”
Scottish Paracyclist Fin Graham, the reigning Paralympic and world champion who hopes to represent Team Scotland at Glasgow 2026, also attended the partnership launch at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome on Tuesday.
He added: “Volunteers are crucial to major events like Glasgow 2026. I’m hoping to represent my home country this summer and knowing that there will be lots of friendly faces from across Scotland helping to ensure everything runs smoothly gives me extra motivation.
“It’s amazing that Allwyn is supporting the volunteer programme with opportunities for training and development so each and every volunteer is ready to deliver an unforgettable Games.”
Allwyn is backing the volunteering programme through its Social Value Fund, an annual £1 million fund that Allwyn finances to support initiatives as part of its commitment to operate The National Lottery in an environmentally and socially responsible way.
The funding will equip volunteers for roles across event and venue support, transport, media services, content creation, athlete support, and ceremonies activity, ensuring every volunteer is ready to help deliver a world-class festival of sport and culture.
Allwyn Chief Executive Officer Andria Vidler is proud to support the initiative, stating: "The Commonwealth Games are a cornerstone of the sporting calendar and volunteers help make them exceptional. Allwyn is proud to power the Glasgow 2026 volunteer programme through our Social Value Fund, helping ensure every volunteer is ready to deliver a world-class Games.”
Diane McLeod, Director of Workforce and Games Services at Glasgow 2026, added: “Their passion is reflective of the spirit of the Commonwealth Games and with Allwyn’s support we can deliver an enhanced volunteer training programme that will prepare more than 3,000 volunteers for this Summer’s event.”
The partnership builds on Allwyn’s previous support for major volunteer programmes, including the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 and Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture.
The Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games Volunteer Learning and Development partnership with Allwyn is powered by Allwyn’s £1 million Social Value Fund, underscoring its commitment to operating The National Lottery responsibly and building on its support for major national volunteering programmes.