TechDept goes rambling for BBC Children In Need via app
Digital agency Techdept has launched a charity race merging on and offline features to race money for its client BBC Children In Need.
Cunard Liners' flagship liner, the Queen Mary 2, set sail for New York from Southampton on Thursday 5th November, and - from its charity idea's conception on Monday 2nd November - Techdept designed and launched the Ramble Race website to see if it could get enough people signed up to beat the ship to New York, where it is due to dock on the 12th November.
Using the fitness app Moves, the agency has recruited nearly 50 volunteers to track their footsteps to see if they can cover the distance of 5503km before the ship docks. Techdept is aiming to raise £2000 for the BBC Children In Need charity with the version of charity crowdfunding. Daniel Kirby, CEO at Techdept, estimates the agency needs around 150 more to download the app.
The app, which is free to download and doesn't require a sign up, works as a mobile phone pedometer. Measuring the walks or cycling trips you take, it doesn't count any bus, train, car or airplane journies. The distance from Southampton to New York is 5503km and Techdept has pledged that if it reaches the target donation, it will also donate £550.30 to the charity.
Kirby said of the event, "We were looking to do something to raise money, and came up with the idea on Monday, so had to move quickly. It's effectively a sponsored walk, we wanted to do something fun that would get people involved and use digital."
To download and take part go to: https://www.moves-app.com/
Then join at http://ramblerace.com/
@techdept will be Tweeting using the hashtag #ramblerace
