TEENAGERS from the North East risk being priced out of volunteering at the London Olympics, the Government was warned last night.

Olympic bosses have been urged to rethink a ban on paying expenses to young volunteers which will see thousands of helpers from the region left to cover their own costs if they want to take part in the 2012 games.

Such is the extent of the financial burden that a special North East fund is to be set up from within the region, hoping to raise £50,000 as London bosses continue to refuse any help.

As it stands, the majority of the 70,000 volunteers needed for the Games are likely to come from the South East, with the parents of any from the North East expected to pay hundreds of pounds to allow their children to take the chance of a lifetime.

Jo Curry, chief executive of charity group Voluntary Organisations Network North East, has written to Olympics boss Lord Coe warning that the promise it will be an event all can benefit from will be put at risk if funds are not made available.

Ms Curry said that unless a bursary scheme was set up “the opportunity will be out of the reach of many of the volunteer hopefuls in the North East of England”.

She added: “The provision of reasonable expenses so that volunteers are not left out of pocket is a must, if the games are genuinely to extend beyond the capital city.”

Last night Geoff Hodgson, one of those helping create a regional bursary, said he accepted the problem facing organisers.

He said: “Unfortunately, there was never going to be enough money for these volunteers. It was never in the plan, so there was always the risk we would lose out.

“What we are doing is ensuring that, when we select who will be volunteers, there is a fund which we can use if they come to us and say they can’t afford this. Otherwise a lot will miss out on this most amazing event.”

Former Newcastle City Council Leader Jeremy Beecham has said he will raise the issue in Parliament after hearing of the voluntary group’s concerns.

Lord Beecham said: “It’s essential that in what is a huge national event the opportunity to volunteer is not restricted to those who can afford to do so because they live close to London or can afford their own travel and accommodation expenses.

“For youngsters in a region like ours with a strong sporting tradition, it’s particularly important that this chance should not be denied to them, and I’m calling on the Government to make sure that doesn’t happen.”

Olympic volunteers could be priced out

MORE than 240,000 people across the country want to take part in the 2012 London Olympic games.

Right now, organisers are whittling down the list to find the lucky 70,000 volunteers.

But for teenagers, meeting the cost could be an expensive challenge which sees many priced out.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson alone wants to find up to 8,000 London Ambassadors to help and advise visitors who will travel to London at Games’ time.

In the North East 3,000 will be given the chance to take part, with the final selection process taking place in May.

Regional organisers have spent the last year lobbying for a nationally-funded bursary, but eventually had to take control and set up a regional scheme.

Businesses are being approached to see if they can contribute up to £1,300 towards a regional bursary which it is hoped could amount to £50,000 worth of help in total.

While other regions have considered a fund, it is thought the North East is the only one to actively start searching for the cash.

More volunteers will have the chance to take part in regional events, including football at St James’ Park in Newcastle.