Written by new-contact on Sep 23, 2011. Posted in General Interest

Special iPhone app launched to track Fireflies West charity riders in California

A special iPhone app has been launched to track the charity riders taking part in the Fireflies West cycle ride, which starts today, and to encourage donations. Advertising industry professionals are among those taking part in the ride to raise money for leukaemia research and treatment.

The app enables users to donate money directly to the City of Hope Hospital in Southern California. It also allows the user to track the charity riders’ progress over the next six days using GPS as they ride the 550 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles. FeedTheWalrus (FTW), a creative services media company, designed the app, along with Finger Music (FM).

Working off GPS, users can zoom in and out on the map to track the riders as they make their way down the coast. We suspect watching their progress will become quite addictive.

Jeff Stevens, FeedTheWalrus

Jeff Stevens is cofounder of FTW: “Working off GPS, users can zoom in and out on the map to track the riders as they make their way down the coast. We suspect watching their progress will become quite addictive. For the first time patients, doctors, friends and family of the riders will be able to experience the ride pedal by pedal with the cyclists.”

Dave Hodge is Creative Director and Partner of FM: “The Fireflies ride combines my love of cycling with a truly great cause. I visited City of Hope’s Hospital facilities and love the idea of being more interactive with the patients, via the app, which will hopefully encourage them along their path to recovery.”

The app itself was designed in just a few weeks and is available at the iPhone App Store here. You can also support the Fireflies West riders by clicking here.