OLYMPICS chief Sebastian Coe has issued a rallying call to volunteers in Staffordshire.

Lord Coe visited Trentham Gardens yesterday to launch the West Midlands for 2012 'volunteers – we need YOU!' campaign, which is encouraging people to get involved in volunteering in their own communities.

The former athlete met dozens of rowers, canoeists and their volunteer coaches at the lake within the gardens, pictured left, which is registered as a Paralympic rowing pre-Games training camp.

He also unveiled a memorial plaque for Ruth Holdway, a canoeing coach who gave up hundreds of hours of her own time to work with youngsters at Trentham.

Ruth died last year at the age of 28 after falling from a footpath in an accident while on a family holiday in Madeira.

Lord Coe said: "I didn't know Ruth personally, but I know of thousands of Ruths across the length and breadth of this country, without whom I wouldn't be standing here today.

"There are thousands of people who are prepared to give up hundreds of hours to help people like me do what we do.

"These are the coaches who train people, the parents who get up at all hours to take their children to events, and the marshalls on cross country runs."

Special Olympics coach Matt Fry has been chosen to front the volunteering campaign in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire.

Matt, aged 29, from Dresden, said: "Volunteering gives you the chance to meet lots of people, and have a great time."

After touring the facilities at the lake, Lord Coe was introduced to 26 young people who are receiving sports performance grants from Staffordshire County Council.

One of these young people was 15-year-old windsurfer Kieran Martin, pictured below, from Cheadle.

He said: "I get help from lots of volunteers when I'm windsurfing. They help with things like the safety equipment. Without them I wouldn't be able to do it."