THE people of York are being urged to provide support from the comfort of their homes to competitors in an international challenge.

The IT Grand Prix takes place across the USA next month, with teams racing to complete IT-related challenges for charity organisations in four cities across America.

Andrew Bettany, manager of the IT Academy at the University of York, is captain of the blue team and said the competition would be a huge challenge.

Andrew said: “Microsoft wanted to promote pro-bono work for charities, so this challenge involves eight Microsoft-certified people running around the east coast of America completing tasks to help not-for-profit organisations.

“We might be setting up a new network for a charity or not-for-profit company, but we don’t know what the challenges will be until we arrive at the organisations. It’s scary, we’ve no idea what’s going to happen.”

The challenge starts on May 31, and teams have four days to complete their tasks in Washington, New York, Houston and New Orleans, but they can’t do it alone.

“We are trying to create a virtual pit crew, with members of the public to help us complete our tasks once we get there.

“We are looking for help with technology, motivation and marketing.

“We’re not going to be able to solve every problem ourselves so the more people, technologically minded or otherwise, the better,” said Andrew.

The victorious team will win $10,000 to be donated to a charity of their choice, and if they win, Andrew’s team will be donating their winnings to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

He said: “This is a charity close to my heart, as my sister, Vicky, suffered with the disease, and died at the age of 31.

“The charity needs funding to find a cure and to help sufferers of this terrible disease.”

To be part of the pit crew, visit borntolearn.mslearn.net/prix/p/registration.aspx or to keep up to date with the team’s progress, follow them on Twitter at twitter.com/itgrandprix.