World Youth Day Sydney 2008 (WYD08) organisers have today marked 100 Days to Go by unveiling the uniforms 8,000 volunteers will wear during the July event.

WYD08 will attract the largest number of visitors to Australia for a single event, and organisers are asking all Australians to get in the spirit by volunteering to help young people from over 170 nations.

"The international spotlight will once again be on Sydney this July," said WYD08 Coordinator Bishop Anthony Fisher OP.

"Just like any other major event, we cannot do it without the support of volunteers. Sydney has a great volunteer spirit, and we invite you all to be part of the celebrations by taking up an important role."

Volunteers will be needed for crowd marshalling, customer service, catering, translations, supervising accommodation venues and much more.

WYD08 is working closely with the NSW Government, with volunteers from the SES and RFS also lending a hand.

The NSW Minister for Youth and Volunteering, Linda Burney, said volunteering was an important, generous part of the Australian way of life.

"Volunteers play an absolutely integral role in the success of all major events staged in this wonderful city," Ms Burney said.

"I know World Youth Day volunteers will reflect the warmth, openness and cultural diversity that mark our nation. I encourage everyone to get involved and to take up the opportunity to ensure all World Youth Day visitors leave with a memorable and positive image of their time in Sydney."

WYD08 currently has 30 long term volunteers from all over the world including Italy, Germany, France, Vietnam, Japan, Canada, and three Dominican nuns from Nashville, Tennessee.

"We have around 4,000 volunteer applications to date, so people should apply quickly to ensure they are part of something big - something beautiful for God. All volunteers will receive the uniform, travel and meals," Bishop Fisher said.

The volunteer uniforms were styled by Sydney designers TRIA Consultants and supplied and manufactured through KCX International. Sydney will host the 23rd World Youth Day from 15-20 July this year. It will draw up to 125,000 international visitors and will mark the first visit to Australia by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI.

Only 100 days to go to WYD08!