HUNDREDS of excited Glasgow 2014 volunteers pulled on their uniforms for the first time - and started preparing for Scot-land's biggest sporting and cultural festival.

The volunteers are from all walks of life and include a young woman waiting for a kidney transplant, a retired IT worker and a human resources officer.

They are among a record breaking 50,811 people who applied for up to 15,000 coveted Clydesider roles with Glasgow 2014.

The workforce have Games Time roles as diverse as spectator services, press operations, anti-doping, protocol and transport but collectively they are the smiling face of the Games.

Lord Smith of Kelvin, chairman of Glasgow 2014, who met some Clydesiders, said: "The thousands of volunteers who are giving up their time and commitment to be Clyde-siders are the people who will make these Games great.

"They are the friendly faces of the Games, the first point of contact for many athletes, spectators and visitors."

For Clydesider Kate Kenyon, volunteering at the Games will be more of a challenge than for most.

The 22-year-old, from Aberdeen, will have dialysis three times a week - after her shifts finish as a volunteer member of the Media Team at the SECC.

Kate is waiting for a kidney transplant after contracting E.coli as a child and suffering chronic renal failure.

She said: "I was so keen to become a volunteer at the Commonwealth Games and I'm looking forward to being part of the excite-ment and buzz.

"It will be such a great experience."

Kristine Johnson, 44, who was born in Glasgow and studied there but now lives in Dollar, is chief human resources officer at Stirling Council.

She has been volunteer-ing one or two days a week since April in the Uniform Team at Kelvin Hall.

She said: "I am thoroughly enjoying volunteering for the Games. Everyone I have met is full of enthusiasm for the events ahead.

"I have gained a greater appreciation of what is involved in staging this event, meeting all the different roles which will make the Games happen -drivers, medical staff, spectator services, Games village staff, media and press and Chaplains to name a few. Everywhere is buzzing!"

And Lindsay Barr, retired, from Clarkston in Glasgow, has been a lifelong sports fan, running and playing tennis, badminton and squash.

He worked in commun-ications and IT and is no stranger to voluntary work. He was a Boys' Brigade officer, served on the committee of his tennis club and led a 22-strong music and singing group.

He said: "I was so excited about the Games coming to Glasgow and felt it was an opportunity I couldn't miss.

THE most valuable thing I can give is my time. This is a chance for me to give something back to my home town which has given me so much."

Councillor Archie Graham, executive member for the Commonwealth Games at Glasgow City Council, said: "The Clyde-siders will be a hugely important part of the Glasgow 2014 Common-wealth Games, helping to deliver a successful event.

"People's desire to be part of the Games in this way was evident in the record numbers who applied to be a volunteer, and it's great to see the Clydesiders getting ready to provide a great welcome over the next few weeks."

Cabinet Secretary for Commonwealth Games and Sport Shona Robison said: "Placed at the heart of the Games, the Clydesiders will undoubtedly create a fantastic welcome for athletes, spectators and visitors - displaying their characteristic smiles."