The Healing The Wounds charity in Wales is one of the first in the UK to use a new piece of cutting edge technology to boost its fund-raising. The charity, which helps treat sufferers of PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), has launched its own ‘QR code’ – a special type of bar code which can be used by smartphone users.
The technology makes donations as easy as a camera click. “This is state-of-the-art technology and we think we are the first charity in the UK to use it,” said Healing The Wounds executive director Kevin Richards. “QR codes have been a bit slow to catch on in the UK, but with the help of our friends in Vodafone we have come to appreciate their significance very quickly.” QR stands for Quick Response code, a specific matrix barcode (or two-dimensional code) that is ‘readable’ by dedicated QR barcode readers and camera telephones.
“The idea is simple,” said Mr Richards. “We can place the QR code in a number of locations – on our website, on posters, on leaflets and other literature. “Then, if you have a smartphone and the proper ‘app’ you simply point at the QR code. The phone takes you straight to the window to donate a £1 to Healing The Wounds. “And the beauty of it is that all of your £1 donation goes straight to Healing The Wounds.
In fact, if you add in Gift Aid, we get more than the £1.” The QR code venture is part of a growing partnership between Healing The Wounds and Vodafone. Healing The Wounds is one the first charities in the country to use a personalised text code to raise funds using JustTextGiving by Vodafone. Supporters of Healing the Wounds can make donations of up to £10 by texting HEAL01 followed by the figure 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 10 to 70070 to make their donation. The text message is free and all of the donation will be passed to the charity. Gift Aid can be added to the text donations.
Mr Richards said: “This is a wonderful way for us to raise money as it’s speedy, simple and spontaneous. Most people have a mobile phone these days so we expect this to be very popular with our supporters. “In partnership with Real Radio we are already promoting the JustTextGiving service to the whole of Wales.
“The response from people so far has been great and it all helps us provide treatment to the brave men and women in Wales who need treatment for PTSD.”
For more information on Healing the Wounds visit – www.healingthewounds.co.uk
