University of Dundee : External Relations : Press Office

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15 May 2009

Helping charities reach out into the digital age

An Interactive Media Design student at the University of Dundee is showing that the digital age still gives a damn by creating an innovative new web service aimed specifically at charities.

Jamie Shek, 23, developed the ‘iGiveADamn’ programme as part of his final year project to allow charities to create an online profile which will keep their supporters interactively informed at all times.

By subscribing to the iGiveADamn web service, charities can add news feeds, videos of their work and post events. This information can then be communicated directly to supporters who can download an application from standard online marketplaces such as the iTunes App Store. They will then receive regular updates or news from their chosen charity direct to their phone, social networking homepage or desktop widget.

The latest news feed of each charity appear immediately on the iGiveADamn.org.uk home page for, so whether it’s a small regional charity or a large national one, they all receive an equal share in the profile.

The idea for ‘iGiveADamn’ was conceived by Jamie and his business partner Kyle Montague, a fourth year Applied Computing student at University of Dundee, while they were undertaking a work placement together last year.

Jamie said: 'The idea came about after I bought the new 3G iPhone during the summer. I really liked the way I could pick and choose from applications on the iTunes store, which got me thinking about creating my own application.'

'Straight away it clicked that if a charities logo appeared on an icon on the iTunes store then it would generate thousands of downloads. From then on I was motivated to develop something around this, but the idea really started to come together when talking about it with Kyle. It was during one of our discussions that Kyle came up with the name 'iGiveADamn'. As soon as he said it we both knew it was perfect.'

In the run up to the launch of ‘iGiveADamn’ Jamie and Kyle have been working closely with Capability Scotland, who will be the first charity to use the service. Capability works with disabled people of all ages throughout Scotland and therefore has a broad base of supporters to whom they want to reach out.

Richard Hamer, Director of External Affairs for Capability said: 'The iGiveADamn application is a valuable opportunity for us and other charities to reach out to both our existing supporters and a new demographic. Here at Capability we recognise the need to encourage and support new technologies like ‘iGiveADamn’, which will enable us to communicate with a much wider audience than previously.

'The interactive nature of the ‘iGiveADamn’ has huge potential. People will be able to get directly in touch with us wherever they are, whether they want to donate, volunteer, or receive information on our latest news and events, and we’ll be able to ensure we can communicate to our supporters in a truly interactive and innovative way.'

Originally from Orkney, Jamie was introduced to media design while studying at Aberdeen College in his teens and has been hooked ever since. He has developed a full business plan with the Business Gateway, and already had offers of start-up funding to allow him to launch iGiveADamn.org.uk shortly after the Dundee Degree Show opens on 23 May.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

DEGREE SHOW 2009
Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art & Design, University of Dundee

Weds 20th May - VIP Preview night with fashion icon Erin O’Connor, Chair of the British Fashion Council and V&A trustee .