I generally refrain from using this blog as a platform for blatant self promotion and product launches, but given that you don’t meet a 'Lord Mayor' every day, and that this project is for such a fantastic cause, here goes...

We have been working with AWS and Microsoft to create The Virtual Rucksack for St Basils. A product which has been designed to enable anybody who needs a convenient, safe and secure online storage facility to keep important personal information and documents. When the trial is complete VR will be available and free to anyone who logs on at www.urvr.net.

The Lord Mayor, accompanied by the Lady Mayoress said:-

“Birmingham has long been the City of ideas. I am glad to say that this is just one of the most recent. The idea of a safe and secure place to store vital information on-line isn’t in itself new. Putting all those things into one package in one place is. The first idea was that it would be invaluable to clients of St Basils, young people who may have chaotic lifestyles and may move from place to place. Having won the Microsoft IT Design Award with that in mind, it has been developed even more and many more potential uses have become obvious. Today we celebrate the end of the development and the beginning of the ‘Live‘ trials. Success is built on new ideas and we are here to launch another idea that bears the label ‘made in Birmingham’.”

Following the Lord Mayor’s speech, Richard Anscombe Commercial Director at AWS presented 'The Virtual Rucksack' by giving a live demonstration of the product, showing just how simple but powerful it actually is.  

After the launch guests were invited to try out The Virtual Rucksack for themselves, giving them a chance to register and play with the site. 

The Virtual Rucksack is an innovative idea inspired by working with young people who were homeless in Birmingham and London and was conceived by Steve Rainbow, St Basils fundraising officer.

Steve says:

“It is such a simple idea. Your very own Virtual Rucksack, which unlike a phone or computer, cannot be stolen, lost or broken and it’s always ready when you are. You are the only person who can put things into it, take things out of it and actually look at it. You can keep information about your previous addresses, job searches, medication lists, contacts, and documents that you may need such as CV’s, which you can choose to share with others as you see fit. Anyone can use it!”

“Thanks to everyone who has backed the development of the Virtual Rucksack, James Elliot from BMG Management, Microsoft, Active Web Solutions (AWS), Tricky Business and Digital Birmingham”

We are calling for your help in the final stages to prove the benefits of the VR. Anyone who wishes to join the trial should contact Steve at St Basils, steve.rainbow@stbasils.org.uk or tel: 0121-772-9614, and you will be sent your own personal trial web address. Use it as a virtual office or to plan your holiday and keep the relevant information that you need in the Virtual Rucksack. The trial lasts for two months and we will email you for your feedback before going live to the general public.

For further information about St Basils go to www.stbasils.org.uk