Who: Cancer Research UK, Strawberry Energy and the London boroughs of Islington and Lewisham

Objective: Turning a city as old as London into a player in the 21st century digital arms race requires collaborative thinking between public, private and charitable organisations. For Strawberry Energy, a company focusing on smart city development, deploying a cadre of ‘smart benches’ across London is the first step in a revolution. Cancer Research UK worked with Strawberry Energy to enable the solar-powered smart benches to not only act as wifi hotspots and device charging ports, but contactless payment hubs for fundraising.

Strategy: A pilot programme of 10 smart benches were placed in high footfall areas around the London boroughs of Islington and Lewisham. This precedes the rollout of 10 more by the end of February and 80 further smart benches by the end of 2017. The benches enable Cancer Research UK to improve its awareness literally on the streets of London and to offer the opportunity to take donations via contactless payment. The smart benches are also equipped with sensors that measure air quality potentially benefitting London mayor Sadiq Khan’s goal to improve London’s air. The first smart benches were introduced on 4 February in honour of World Cancer Day.

Rationale: In addition to the benefits of creating a permanent smart city initiative in London, for the first time, Cancer Research UK will also benefit from the collaboration. Michael Docherty, director of digital for the charity says, “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.”