Volunteers should marshall run

Having today (Sunday) cheered on the runners who had given their time, energy and money in rainy conditions for the BHF Warwick Half Marathon, I was concerned to see so many stewards wearing G4S hi-viz jackets.

By The Newsroom

Published 29th Mar 2014, 11:54 BST

I bumped into one of these stewards in a local shop and quickly learned that about 90 stewards were employed for a minimum of four hours at minimum pay rates.

I calculate that the staff were paid a total of about £3,000 for their work yet it is likely that G4S received much more than this unless, of course, they gave their services as a charitable donation.

It is easy to calculate that at a net £20 per runner entry fee, 150 runners gave their time and energy, not to BHF, but to G4S.

Would it not be feasible to harness local people, possibly through organisations such as Rotary and Lions International and so make it a truly local fundraising event?

Colin Sullivan, The Paddocks, Warwick

Volunteers