Teenagers shortlisted for inventors’ award Help to keep warm in winter
Fit Wriz earns praise
Six Livingston teenagers have been shortlisted for a challenge that will give them the chance to develop a new invention.
The team of 14 to 17-year-olds are all members of the Livingston and District Dolphins Amateur Swimming Club and with the support of mentor Michael Harkins they were judged to have submitted one of the strongest ideas for the inaugural DigiInventors Challenge. Their idea, called Fit Wriz, is to develop an innovative wireless games controller system that encourages active gaming. Shortlisted entries also came from secondary schools, clubs and colleges in Edinburgh, Kirkcaldy, Dumfries, Erskine and Aberdeenshire. Fit Wriz will now attend the DigiInventors Bootcamp this autumn alongside the other finalists, where they will develop entrepreneurial skills by attending a series of classes and workshops hosted by industry experts. They will also be given the opportunity to present a professional pitch to a panel of expert judges. The winner will be announced and presented at ‘Andy Murray Live’ at the SSE Hydro in Glasgow on November 7.
Michael Harkins, instructor at Livingston and District Dolphins, said: “The Fit Wriz team is very happy and we are very excited to move on to bootcamp. We are all extremely passionate about health and fitness so this has been a unique and enjoyable challenge for us all. We are really looking forward to the next stage.” The overall winning team will then see their design developed into a prototype by DHI and Sopra Steria. Support will also be sought from businesses and investors with a view to commercialising the successful solution. The prize package includes Apple Watches for all shortlisted entries, £ 500 for the runner up, and iPads and £ 2000 funding for the winning school, college or group. West Lothian residents are urged to act now to ensure they stay warm in winter.
West Lothian Council’s Advice Shop is encouraging eligible households to apply now for Warm Home discount schemes.
Many major energy suppliers are part of this, offering a one- off £ 140 electricity credit to low income, vulnerable households.
The Warm Home Discount is allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, therefore it is important to get your application in as soon as possible because once the scheme is closed you can no longer apply. Each supplier has their own set of specific qualifying criteria.
Generally, the scheme is open to: people who are on certain benefits and are considered vulnerable; people with a total household income of less than £16,190 and who have vulnerabilities, such as a disability or a child under 5. For help, contact West Lothian Council’s Advice Shop on 01506 283000 (option 4) to find out if you could qualify and for help to make an application to get warm for winter.