Lord Sebastian Coe surprised volunteers on Thursday by returning to Stratford to say thank you to Olympic volunteers.

Newham Recorder: Special guests including Lord Coe and Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales at the Old Town Hall, Stratford. Picture; Andrew BakerSpecial guests including Lord Coe and Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales at the Old Town Hall, Stratford. Picture; Andrew Baker (Image: Baker UnlessAgreed07977074356)

More than 600 guests were invited to the Old Town Hall including Gamesmakers, supporters of local charities, cast members from the Opening and Closing Ceremonies, residents on the council’s Newham Volunteers scheme, and people who threw Get the Party Started parties for their community.

Thursday’s party was the final one of three organised by Newham Council and Lord Coe, former chairman of LOCOG and now chairman of the British Olympic Association, was the surprise guest.

Lord Coe gave a speech calling the volunteers ‘extraordinary people who did an extraordinary job’ and urged them to get involved in the post-Games legacy.

He was joined by Newham medalists Mark Hunter and Christine Ohuruogu and other members of Team GB along with John Burton, Westfield Stratford City director of development, and Kevin Murphy, ExCeL London chairman.

Mayor of Newham Sir Robin Wales said: “It’s a mark of how highly our volunteers are regarded that Games organiser Lord Sebastian Coe and members of our magnificent Team GB made the time to return to Stratford and meet them.”