Emma Bundock's story

My first role was helping to fill water bottles at an aid station in Maryport. One thing led to another, and after taking on lots of different roles over the years, I am now part of the core Lakesman event team as Transition and Build Director.

In this role, I am involved in the pre-event planning and have responsibility for the build and set-up of the Transition area, pre-event safety, and the overall safety and wellbeing of athletes and volunteers in Transition on race day. It is something I would never have had the opportunity to do if I hadn't volunteered for that very first Lakesman 11 years ago.

Volunteering has given me some amazing experiences. I have made great friends, watched incredible athletes overcome challenges they may once have thought impossible, including several Cumberland staff, and represented Lakesman at a British Triathlon meeting where we discussed how we had worked to make the event as inclusive as possible.

In 2018, I even took on a challenge myself and completed the 2.4-mile swim as part of an Allerdale relay team. I loved every minute of it and would never have considered entering something like this if I hadn't first got involved as a volunteer.

For me, volunteering has led to friendships, new skills, increased confidence and opportunities I could never have imagined when I first offered to help fill water bottles! If anyone is thinking about volunteering with Lakesman next year, I would encourage them to give it a go.

It's a fantastic event, in an incredible setting, with some brilliant people, and who knows where volunteering might lead you!