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Smart Benches unveiled by Cancer Research UK for World Cancer Day

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Cancer Research UK has joined forces with smart city business Strawberry Energy and MKTG to launch a network of Smart Benches with contactless technology in London in time for World Cancer Day on February 4th. The solar-powered benches enhance public spaces by providing mobile device charging ports and free Wi-Fi access, as well as a place to sit and socialise. Strawberry Energy have been working exclusively with Urban Partnerships, a division of MKTG (part of the Dentsu Aegis Network) which delivers projects within the public space that are mutually beneficial for both brands and non-profit organisations.

In the world’s first use of contactless payment on the Smart Bench, the public can also donate £2 to the charity’s life-saving research to beat cancer sooner, by simply tapping their contactless debit or credit card on the Smart Bench, popping up across London. Cancer Research UK are the first brand to partner on the Smart Bench scheme, a network of benches across two London boroughs. The sites were identified as high-footfall locations by MKTG, using their strategic insight tools and location planning expertise. This pilot of 10 Smart Benches are live with full support from both boroughs, and feature a number of contactless payment locations including Islington Green and Lewisham High Street. Following the pilot a further 10 will be installed by the end of February, with an additional 80 to be installed this year.

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Sensors built into the smart benches monitor real-time environmental data including air quality, which users can check via the Strawberry Energy smart phone app, providing a valuable lifestyle tool for the community and feeding important data to local boroughs. This is especially relevant in support of London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s aim to improve the capital’s air quality. Strawberry Energy has taken on production and installation of the first benches, without cost to taxpayers, as part of the company’s commitment to London as a smart city.

Michael Docherty, Director of Digital at Cancer Research UK, said: “Having used contactless technology in innovative ways in the past to engage the public in the work we do, we are always looking for new opportunities to incorporate contactless technology further throughout the charity and make it even easier for our supporters to help us beat cancer sooner. These Smart Benches seemed like the next step in our use of contactless technology to bring charitable giving closer to our supporters, integrating it seamlessly into cutting-edge street furniture.”

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Miloš Milisavljević, Founder and CEO of Strawberry Energy, developers and owners of the Smart Bench network, added: “We have been working with London boroughs to breathe life into our dream of a network of solar-powered Smart Benches, making energy free for all Londoners. We are proud to launch our network in the lead up to World Cancer Day with a contactless fundraising innovation in aid of Cancer Research UK. Our charging stations bring people together, motivate them to spend more time outdoors, and enhance their enjoyment of the environment with information such as pollution sensors.”

Urban Partnerships identified Cancer Research UK as an ideal first brand partner for Strawberry Energy and their Smart Bench network. The community can enjoy the benefits of the benches and in exchange Cancer Research UK can maximise awareness and donations through contactless technology in the lead up to World Cancer Day. As well as making donations via these Smart Benches, Cancer Research UK is also urging the nation to wear a Unity Band on February 4th 2017, creating one incredible #ActofUnity that will help beat cancer sooner. You can get your own Unity Band online now for a suggested donation of £2.

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