At LHC, we believe in making a positive impact both inside and outside the workplace. As part of our commitment to giving back, employees are entitled to 1.5 days of paid volunteering leave each year to support a charity close to their hearts.
Earlier this year, Regional Procurement Manager Sima Khatun used her volunteer leave to support the London Open & World Taekwondo President’s Cup, an internationally recognised event organised through World Taekwondo and Premier Ki.
Supporting a world-class sporting event
Sima joined a team of around 80 volunteers helping to deliver one of the UK's largest international taekwondo competitions. The event attracts elite athletes, coaches and officials from around the world, competing for world ranking points and valuable international experience.
As a volunteer service crew member, Sima took on a variety of roles throughout the weekend to help ensure the event ran smoothly. From selling tickets and supervising entrances to assisting VIP guests, setting up and clearing down areas, she stepped in wherever support was needed.
However, her primary responsibilities involved security and athlete coordination, helping to guide competitors and coaches to the correct courts at the right time for their matches.
Helping the event run safely and efficiently
Large-scale sporting competitions rely heavily on volunteers to keep operations running seamlessly behind the scenes. Sima's contribution helped ensure athletes reached their competitions on time, avoiding missed matches or penalties, while also supporting crowd management and maintaining a safe environment for everyone attending.
Much of this work happened quietly in the background, but it played an essential role in the success of the event.
A personal connection
For Sima, the opportunity to volunteer was particularly meaningful because of her daughter's involvement in the sport.
She mentioned, “My daughter is part of World Taekwondo, so the international event was a great opportunity for her to see and meet world-class athletes as she continues her journey towards achieving her 2nd Dan.”
The weekend provided an inspiring glimpse into elite-level competition, allowing Sima and her daughter to witness first-hand the dedication, discipline and skill required to succeed at the highest levels of taekwondo
An unforgettable experience
While rewarding, the weekend was not without its challenges. Emotions often ran high as athletes and coaches navigated the pressures of international competition, and Sima frequently found herself at the centre of situations that required patience, professionalism and calm communication.
Sima said, “The weekend itself was very hectic, with emotions running high as participants anxiously awaited their turn to perform and sometimes faced disappointment if things didn’t go as planned. Serving in a security role meant being in the thick of it all, often being the first person people would approach when frustrations bubbled over.”
Despite the pressures, the experience also created countless opportunities to connect with people from across the globe.
“I had the chance to speak with coaches, referees, judges and athletes from all over the world. These conversations were fascinating and added an extra layer of excitement to the whole event.”
Reflecting on the experience, Sima described the opportunity as both challenging and incredibly rewarding.
“All in all, while it was a challenging weekend in many respects, the chance to be part of such a global ranking event and to see the dedication and passion of everyone involved made it an unforgettable experience.”
Volunteering makes a difference
Sima's story highlights the value of volunteering and supporting important community initiatives and charitable causes, but also in creating meaningful personal experiences and connections.
We are proud to support colleagues through our volunteering leave programme.