Feature

Dialogue Runs SMS For Record Breaking Fundraiser

Dialogue will be going the distance during this year's Flora London Marathon, by providing a text messaging service to veteran runner Ian Capon, who will be attempting to set a new world record for the most money raised during the race alone.
 
The five digit short code, 84010, supplied by Dialogue will be emblazoned across the costume of marathon runner Ian Capon, 54, who is a company director from London, as he attempts to set a brand new world record when he competes in his eleventh full marathon this weekend.

Ian will run dressed in a pyramid shaped costume carrying text and telephone numbers - so that spectators and television viewers can donate money during the race. Ian aims to set a new world record for the highest amount of money raised during only the race itself, he hopes to raise £26,200 for the Spinal Injuries Association (SIA).

Ian is a great supporter of Rebuilding Lives Through Sport (RLTS), which will see half of the money raised by SIA's London Marathon team being allocated, as grants, to encourage participation in wheelchair sport. 'I have a passion for rugby and know that, sadly, a relatively high number of injuries occur through accidents on the field so SIA seemed the most appropriate charity I could run for, especially when I heard about RLTS,' said Ian.
 
'Sport can play a crucial role in rebuilding confidence and relieving isolation following spinal chord injury (SCI) but only a tiny percentage of people actively participate with any regularity. RLTS is a fantastic way of promoting the benefits of wheelchair sport both to people living with SCI and to the wider disabled community.'

"We are very happy to be involved in such an unusual world record attempt, said Guillaume Peersman, Dialogue's UK managing director.

"As well as providing the short code for pledges, we will be tallying the final donations after the run and we really hope that Ian reaches his target of £26,200."

Ian Capon explains why he has set himself this challenge: "I have been running marathons for nearly 12 years now and thought that this idea was a great way to make the race more challenging and exciting.

"I felt that using text as a means for people to pledge money would prove to be the most successful, as the majority of people now own a mobile phone and a text message is a quick and very easy method to communicate. The fact that Dialogue has provided its technology expertise which has given the audience another means of donating and will hopefully help make my attempt possible - I am just hoping that I will be able to reach my target."