Latest News

Boxer Charles Flynn holding The Queen's Baton with Mears ApprenticesAt the heart of great sporting events are the athletes who compete for the accolades and wow the audiences. Supporting the Games are a team of volunteers who make sure that everything runs smoothly, visitors are welcomed and they act as ambassadors for the host city. The Clyde-siders are the team of volunteers who are helping to bring the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games to the world. 50 Mears apprentices have volunteered to become Clyde-siders for Glasgow 2014.Mears was first approached by North Lanarkshire Council to see if they could supply apprentices to support the Queens Baton Relay event in the Ravenscraig Sports Centre on 23 June. 14 apprentices took part, the Queen's Baton arrived at Ravenscraig carried by young Newarthill boxer Charles Flynn and he was welcomed by over 900 local school children. The apprentices lined the route to make sure the Baton arrived safely and spent the rest of the day helping the children with games including tennis and rugby.Mears electrician David Waddell, vice chair of North Lanarkshire's Sports Council, and Mears painter Ronnie Blackburn also carried the Baton.Willie Docherty, Mears Managing Director said: “It was an amazing opportunity and great privilege for our apprentices to be involved with the Queens Baton Relay. The event was fantastic and everyone really enjoyed themselves. It’s important to us that we support our local communities and for our apprentices to give something back. I’m really proud that so many of them have volunteered to be Clyde-siders at the Commonwealth Games.”The Mears apprentices will be providing volunteer support at three events during the Commonwealth Games (23 July – 3 August): Strathclyde Park Triathlon 24 July, Strathclyde Park Team Triathlon 26 July and Steep/Chryston Time Trail 31 July.Mears apprentice Shelley Bruin, who volunteered for the Queens Baton Relay and will be supporting both the Team Triathlon and the Time Trail said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I’m so pleased to be a Clyde-sider. I was inspired to volunteer by the Games Makers at the 2012 Olympics. The Queens Baton Relay event was amazing, the children had a fantastic time and so did I. I’m really looking forward to the Games."