Oxfam Trailwalker gets live tracking

Oxfam Trailwalker gets live tracking

8 March 2018

Walking 100 kilometres in 36 hours is no mean feat, but a new technology sponsor for the Oxfam Trailwalker will make it easier to track those tramping the tracks.

When thousands of Kiwis take to the brand new Oxfam Trailwalker course in Whakatāne on March 10 and 11 to raise money for the charity, their progress will be tracked for their sponsors and supporters to follow along — and to help improve safety and coordination of the event.

New Zealand Internet Service Provider (ISP) Wireless Nation is providing the tech for the event through its recently-launched Fox Tracker device, as well as ensuring there is WiFi at the start and finish lines, and key checkpoints.

Wireless Nation specialises in connecting hard-to-reach locations, and its services will be crucial for the event to run smoothly, especially for providing key support for health and safety elements.

The Fox Tracker is a small device which will hook into the event’s network to track teams at key checkpoints, ensuring emergency assistance can be deployed quickly if needed.

The device will provide frequent updates for those teams gunning to set new Trailwalker records, and data collected across all walkers will be used to help plan future events.

Oxfam Trailwalker raises almost $1 million every year to go towards Oxfam’s initiatives to eradicate poverty in the Pacific and around the world so Wireless Nation Marketing Manager Miro Sudzum says it was an easy decision to back the event.

“We’ve been fans of the event for years so we’re incredibly proud to jump onboard as a sponsor this year.

“At Wireless Nation, we’re passionate about using technology to make lives better. It makes total sense to help proper health and safety measures during the Oxfam Trailwalker.

“Plus, we’re not only helping the lives of those taking part in the event, we’re also helping the people around the world who they’re raising funds for.”

Oxfam Trailwalker Fundraising Events Manager Amanda Wright says the Wireless Nation support will ensure the event runs smoothly and safely.

“The health and safety of participants is our number one priority. They’re walking 50 or 100 kilometres with little or no sleep so it requires incredible physical exertion.

“It’s our job to make sure they can push themselves to the limit in remote bush with full peace of mind that they’re safe and being tracked. We’re so grateful for Wireless Nation’s help.

“Adding the element of real-time tracking adds a new incentive for supporters, which we hope translates to more funds raised for those people around the world living in poverty.”

Sudzum says the event will not only provide interesting data for Oxfam Trailwalker organisers, it will also be a great test for the Fox Tracker.

“The potential in the Fox Tracker to save lives is enormous. The device can last up to four years on just three AA batteries and it has more range and is more affordable than any other tracker like it, so we want it to become a staple in the New Zealand adventurer’s backpack. It’s a game changer.”

Wireless Nation is an innovative internet service provider (ISP) which provides fast broadband access anywhere in New Zealand.

It was founded in 2005 in response to the larger ISPs unwillingness to provide services to New Zealand’s rural sector.

ENDS

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