Throughout Volunteer Week 2016, Scottish Cycling will be showcasing some of the volunteers that work on cycling events across the country. There is more to cycling than getting on a bike and the fantastic work done by Scottish Cycling's 184 affiliated clubs and volunteers each and every week does not go unnoticed. We couldn't do any of it without you!
Name: Bridget Trussell
Age: 44
Occupation: Project Development Officer for the Cairngorms National Park Authority
Cycling Club: Petalpowerbiking Club
Volunteering role(s): Club Chairperson and Event Organiser
How long have you been volunteering in your role for?
I started volunteering in Mountain Biking by helping run the first ‘Ride Like a Grrl’ Event in September 2012. After that we set up the club and I took the role of Chairperson in March 2013.
How did you get into volunteering?
I’ve always volunteered in some form or another throughout my life. When I was growing up I helped out with my local Girls Brigade Company. Later on in life I started getting involved with running things like our local Community Centre, Toddlers Group and latterly Petalpowerbiking Club. I enjoy helping things to happen, so it never really feels like a job or hard work – if it does then it’s time to move on and put energy somewhere else!
What are the benefits of volunteering?
I’ve met so many new and interesting people. I sit on a committee with some incredible women from all walks of life. They inspire me every day; so just to spend time with them doing something we all believe in and have a passion for is a real joy. I’ve learned so many skills and found out I can do things I never thought I’d have the confidence to do. Sometimes as women we find ourselves swallowed up into other roles ‘Mum’, ‘Partner’, ‘Kids Parent’, ‘Job Role’, but volunteering is just me being me – with load of awesome chicks who are also being ‘just them’. The Club itself is made up of even more incredible women, so to be able to organise a club that is appreciated, loved and valued by them is a real privilege. To be even a tiny part of inspiring girls and women to get out biking – that’s just brilliant.
What has been your most memorable volunteering experience in cycling?
I think I have two – the first one was when we organised our first ‘Ride Like a Grrl’ event in 2012. It was the first all-female MTB event in Scotland and we honestly thought no-one would be too interested. There were about 10 of us involved in organising it and we all thought if we could rope in 2 friends to ride with us then we’d have an event. 100 women later….. On the start line I was nearly in tears as everyone rode out together – just a brilliant moment which made all the stress worthwhile.
The second one was in 2015 when the Club went away on a training camp to the Sierra Nevada in Spain with a top-class female coach. As we rode out on our first day in glorious sunshine to tackle the mountains I did start crying as I thought how far we’d come as a club. I sound like I’m always in tears!
Describe the perfect volunteer (without describing yourself!)
Someone who gives time and skills; everyone has a skill and to volunteer that skill is an amazing thing to do. My perfect volunteer would also have a genuine passion and interest for what they’re doing. And they’d also bake a mean cake – cake runs everything in our club (probably every club….).
Advise someone who might want to volunteer in cycling
Get involved – it really is fun – and there’s always cake!
For more volunteers stories please see here:
