Exeter Guild wins gold for Olympics support

The accreditation rewards and recognises the commitment and effort shown by students’ unions in creating an environment for Games-inspired activity to flourish.

The award reflects the hard work of six University of Exeter students who signed up as Be A Champion ambassadors.

Jonathan Batten, Archie Burbidge, Joyce Chan, Paula Victoria Makowiecka, Kristina Petraviciute and Rebecca Todd have created a comprehensive programme of events and activities that reflect the Olympics values. Known as Golden Exe, these include: The Olympics Bus and Torch visiting campus in October 2011 Community based volunteering projects including a Global Touch International Mother Language Day event in February; The University’s Sports Volunteering Scheme in which local children receive sports coaching from students; International Songs of Sea and Water - a concert of sea songs from across the globe arranged by University of Exeter Director of Music Marion Wood which took place in March; Chance To Dance - a dance marathon, exhibition and workshop taking place on June 1st; Picture This - a photographic competition and exhibition in which entrants are encouraged to capture the values of the Olympic Games which will run in May and June; Campus Games in which local schoolchildren are being invited onto campus in June for a mini Olympic and Paralympic-inspired Games.

"It is fantastic for Exeter to be awarded Gold and really acknowledges the incredible work that our students have done in promoting the Olympics to both the Exeter and University community,” said James Fox, University of Exeter Students’ Guild Vice President Participation and Campuses.

The Golden Exe project has also been awarded a Bronze Podium Award, which will be presented in May at a ceremony at Forman’s Fish Island in London, which overlooks the London 2012 Olympic Stadium.