To celebrate National Volunteers’ Week (2nd–9th June), SDS are highlighting some of the many volunteers throughout Scotland, Who have devoted time and effort to help provide more opportunities in disability sport throughout their region.
Throughout Dumfries and Galloway, John McLelland has found himself becoming a vital volunteer for one of Scottish Disability Sport’s (SDS) member branch, Dumfries and Galloway Disability Sport.
Over the last ten years John has dedicated countless hours with unwavering commitment and compassion. Whether it’s lending a hand at community sport events, running the weekly walkfit and boccia sessions, mentoring new volunteers, quietly going the extra mile behind-the-scenes or being part of the committee of the branch, John consistently brings warmth, reliability and inspires others in everything he does.
John reflected on his time spent volunteering, and said, “I have been volunteering for a few years now with disability sport. I lead the Newton Stewart Walk Fit group and coach Boccia in Newton Stewart. I was Recently awarded volunteer of the year by Wigtownshire Sports Council for my work in disability sports.”
John came to disability sport and volunteering in later life, after a lung condition damaged his bones. Following this, John became a wheelchair user. This didn’t stop John as he went on to compete in wheelchair curling on a Nation level and has been a former Chairmen of the Scottish Wheelchair Curling association.
John embodies the true spirit of volunteering – selfless, dependable and always ready to help.
John continues to make a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to volunteer alongside him. One of John’s favourite elements of volunteering is seeing how much sport and physical activity can impact Participants.
He said: “I really enjoy volunteering in the community and I really like seeing the smiling faces of the people taking part.”
John has consistently looked for areas to develop, resulting in him gaining coaching qualifications so that he can inspire others to join in taking part in sport.
His hard work has paid off, with John being selected to be part of the curling coaching team at The Invictus Games in Canada, in February 2025. Well done John!
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
If you would be interested in volunteering within disability sport in Scotland, check out all the current opportunities on the SDS website, here.
SDS NATIONAL EXHIBITION EVENT
If you would be interested in finding out more about SDS and how sport and physical activity can support you, sign up to attend SDS’s first ever National Exhibition Event. The event is free and is being held at the University of Stirling on Saturday 14th June. The event will allow people from all over Scotland to interact with all elements of SDS in one place.
You can also find out more about what sporting opportunities are available in your community by contacting your Regional Development Manager. To keep up-to-date on all of the ongoing work, make sure to follow Scottish Disability Sport on Facebook, X and Instagram, as well as on the SDS website.