An appeal has been issued for help to accommodate hundreds of volunteers helping out at a major athletics event this summer.
More than 5,000 people are expected to be in the north for two major orienteering events held in the Highlands and Moray this August.
The organisers of the World Orienteering Championships and the amateur Scottish6Days event have asked for people with spare space in their homes to help accommodate the hundreds of volunteers who help out during the event.
More than 5,000 spectators and competitors from around 50 nations are expected to take part in the parallel events in the first week in August, and bring millions of pounds into the local economy.
WOC2015 volunteer manager Linda Cairns said: “We are organising a small-scale ‘homestay’ programme for volunteers.
“As has been the case for other major sporting events in the UK, including the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics, volunteers are vital to a successful event not just for competitors but for the thousands of spectators who will descend on the region.Many will stay in hostels and rented accommodation but some would prefer a more affordable and sociable alternative of staying with a local.
“We are asking people in the Highlands and Moray to consider hosting one of these volunteers in their own homes maybe for a couple of nights or for the week.
“It is expected that we will have around 500 volunteers who are arriving from throughout the UK and beyond – and while many will have managed to make accommodation plans some will struggle and we hope to fill that void.”
The orienteering events will also turn Bught Park into a camp site for the week, with thousands of visitors being invited to pitch their tents for the week.
Anyone interested in assisting with accommodation is asked to visit
http://www.woc2015.org/volunteers/volunteer-accommodation