The Trinidad and Tobago Olympic Committee (TTOC) has launched a “text to donate” campaign to help raise funds for its athletes ahead of Rio 2016.

With the help of its partner, Press Play Jukebox, members of the public are now able to use their mobile devices to text in donations to a unique shortcode.

Texting the word "Donate" to TTO10, TTO20 or TTO50 allows for an automatic deduction of TT$10 (£1.02/$1.50/€1.34), TT$20 (£2.04/$3.00/€2.69) or TT$50 (£5.10/$7.51/€6.72) respectively from pre-paid or post-paid users' accounts.

The TTOC views the SMS campaign as an enormous opportunity to invite and engage members of the public to actively support their national athletes.

"Our company’s ethos is focused on delivering value to organisations through the use of technology, specifically software," said Dwayne Cambridge, Press Play Jukebox’s director.

"Our goal is to help customers unlock the power of technology and implement it across their organisations in ways that will enhance their business and drive key corporate objectives in dynamic and impactful ways."

The TTOC has also recently launched a campaign with financial services company Visa, entitled "Support our Sporting heroes with Visa".

The campaign guarantees that when customers use their Visa card for purchases of $500 (£340/€447) or TT$500 (£51/$75/€67) or more, TT$10 will be directed to the TTOC’s "#10golds24" athlete welfare and preparation fund.

The TTOC is aiming to win 10 or more Olympic gold medals by 2024 and is using its #10golds24 programme to raise funds that will help provide financial assistance to athletes.

The Visa campaign also gives participants the chance to win Olympic Games-themed promotional items and the opportunity to meet Trinidad and Tobago athletes.

"We are really trying to leave no stone unturned to replicate the absolute best environment for the athletes," said TTOC President Brian Lewis.

"[This is] like the successful pre-Games camp we had before London [2012], which was absolutely fantastic according to the feedback from all of the surveys we did with the athletes, officials and other team personnel.

"And coming out of that, we are of the firm view that that is something we need to do."

Source