The Mayor of London’s search for 8,000 enthusiastic and passionate Ambassadors to welcome the world to London in 2012 is almost at an end.  16,000 successful applicants are currently being put through their paces at 10 volunteer centres around the capital, with two-thirds having already completed the interview process.

Visiting the Ealing Volunteer Centre, which has already interviewed over six hundred potential Ambassadors, the Mayor of London Boris Johnson confirmed today that he’s on track to appoint the first London Ambassadors this Autumn.  At the centre the Mayor met with potential Ambassadors who were taking part in selection exercises.

An estimated five million visitors are due to visit London during the 2012 Olympics. Recruited from across the capital's diverse communities the Ambassadors will provide visitors with a warm, friendly welcome and help them get to get to specific places, such as competition venues and the outdoor screens broadcasting the Games, as well as museums, theatres, restaurants and shopping districts.

Launched in July 2010, the search for London’s Ambassadors has proved hugely successful with over 23,000 people applying for the sought-after positions, 16,000 of whom were invited to come forward for interview.

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “The enthusiasm and energy shown by our Ambassador recruits and the staff at the Volunteer Centres has been truly tremendous and demonstrates yet again the rich seam of volunteering spirit in the capital.  I am confident that when we welcome the world to our great city next summer our army of Ambassadors will make the experience so memorable, so pleasant and so informative that the legacy of their passion for London will live on long after the Games have ended with thousands of Olympic visitors returning to London again and again.”

Helping the Mayor choose his final 8,000 Ambassadors are a dedicated team of staff at the 10 volunteer centres across the capital, many of them volunteers themselves, who have already given up 10,000 hours to interview and select the Ambassadors.  Working alongside them are project managers from Volunteer England and staff from Procter and Gamble who have provided resources and training for the volunteer centre staff and will also help to train the final Ambassadors next year.

Marc Pritchard Global Marketing Officer for Procter and Gamble joined the Mayor at Ealing volunteer centre today and said: “I am delighted and proud that P&G are supporting the Mayor and the London Ambassadors programme. It is exactly how we like to help our communities and we cannot wait to help play our part in showcasing London to the world in 2012.”

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Notes to editors

• London Ambassadors was launched in July 2010. 34,000 people signed up for information, 23,000 applied and 16,000 were invited to interview.
• The Mayor has just launched Team London, an ambitious plan to get Londoners volunteering. He wants to create an army of community spirited volunteers who will become leaders of uniformed youth groups, mentors, sports coaches, literacy champions, help green London through planting trees and support learning activities for older people. Following this programme we will have 8000 well trained and informed Ambassadors, inspired to continue volunteering and encourage their family and friends to consider volunteering. For more information on how to get involved visit www.london.gov.uk/teamlondon