Harvey McDonald is co-organiser of the Birmingham Pokewalk, a social charity event inspired by gaming app Pokemon Go (Photograph: Birmingham Pokewalk)
In July, Birmingham held its first ever Pokéwalk , riding the wave of international buzz surrounding Pokémon Go, a gaming app that’s taken the world by storm after being released by Nintendo and Niantic Labs to mark the Pokemon franchise’s twentieth anniversary.
Taking its cue from similar events being held around the country – and indeed, other parts of the world – the Pokéwalk concept was created to merge the explorative nature of the game with socialising and networking skills, essentially meeting new friends.
In the West Midlands, Birmingham led the effort after a Pokéwalk was called to be held in the city centre on Saturday 23 July. Initially set up by student Conor Court as a small get-together for a few friends with a passion for the game, the Facebook event page soon began to gain traction among a larger crowd.
Within a week of it being made public, seasoned volunteer Harvey McDonald stepped in co-organise proceedings, jointly establishing connections with charities Birmingham Children’s Hospital and British Heart Foundation, creating partnerships with Second Cup café and Tokyo Toys, and forming an alliance with the annual Zombie Walk Birmingham and its large fan base.
After throwing in a few popular media appearances to promote the event and rallying around key volunteers to help manage the gathering, the Pokéwalk had peaked the interest of over 1,300 people in just a week and hundreds attended the flashmob-style walk through the city streets. Through the love of a classic gaming franchise, a new social meet-up was born.
Despite a parting of ways between one of the organisers of the event and the main team, veteran YouTuber and flashmob volunteer Harvey is continuing the official event, with the backing of the city’s Zombie Walk organisers and the blessings of the Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
We caught up with Harvey McDonald to find out more about the evolution of the Birmingham Pokéwalk and its forthcoming special Halloween incarnation.
The Birmingham Pokewalk is held in aid of Birmingham Children’s Hospital and has been supported by Tokyo Toys and Second Cup cafe (Photograph: Birmingham Pokewalk)
What do you love about Pokémon and Pokémon Go?
The first Pokémon game I played was Pokémon Yellow, when I was very young, so I’ve grown up with the franchise. And with the release of Pokémon Go, it’s got even more people playing the game, getting out, exercising and meeting new people.
What is a Pokéwalk and where did it originate?
The format is that of a normal charity walk but with a twist inspired by the game-play from Pokémon Go. There were a few Pokéwalks elsewhere in the country like the Plymouth, Lancashire and Preston ones that had happened before the recent Birmingham event, and they seemed to go really well so when I saw that there was an opportunity for one in Birmingham, I stepped forward and helped to organise it.
Pokemon Go is hugely popular among ‘trainers’ of all ages (Photograph: Birmingham Pokemon)
The Pokémon franchise celebrates its 20th anniversary this year (Image: Nintendo)
What made you want to help co-ordinate the first Pokéwalk in Birmingham in July?
I joined the organisational team only a few days before the walk was due to take place and brought in the expertise of the Birmingham Zombie Walk guys, who already have their various media connections in place. We also spoke to TokyoToys and Second Cup Birmingham and managed to get some great sponsorship deals with Pokémon plusher giveaways and free speciality coffees.
Volunteer Harry Alimo is a key organiser of the Birmingham Pokewalk event (Photograph: Birmingham Pokewalk)
Most of the organising team from the first Birmingham Pokéwalk has now moved on to continue the event with a Halloween special in October. What should we expect?
Due to unfortunate circumstances, one of the original co-organisers is no longer in a position to lead the event’s crazy antics through the city centre. Thankfully, many of the other key members of the team have been able to support me in the organisation of the next event, and this one will be even crazier than last time since we have a little more time to organise it!
And what will the Halloween after-party consist of?
It’s gonna be great seeing Second Cup cafe get transformed into a horror den and the costumed staff make some exciting new Zombie themed drinks! There’s gonna be some really good music, chill-out areas and even some special effects make-up going on. There’s gonna be a special charity raffle with awesome prizes and extra prizes for best Halloween costumes, so get creative! The family friendly party is from 5pm until midnight, so people are able to go to more adult venues later on.
The Birmingham Pokewalk in July attracted hundreds of gamers and Pokemon ‘trainers’ (Photograph: Birmingham Pokewalk)
Harvey McDonald (centre), co-organiser of the Birmingham Pokewalk has joined forces with the city’s Zombie Walk, founded by Jamie Chapman (right), seen here with volunteer Paul Wheeler (Photograph: Birmingham Pokewalk)
You’re a veteran of the Birmingham Zombie Walk, which is supporting the Pokéwalk. How long have you been a part of that and what has your volunteering involved over the years?
It has always been a pleasure to help out with the Zombie Walk, I’ve helped out since 2012, on and off, and was a Zombie ‘model’ in 2014 and 2016, which often includes getting covered in special effects make up and wandering through the city centre chewing a fake arm! Most fun you’ll ever have!
Why Birmingham Children’s Hospital as the charity of choice?
The Birmingham Children’s Hopspital (BCH) is a charity very close to my heart because my cousin Daani was born with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome, which affects the heart. She ‘died’ twice when she was 6 weeks old and was resuscitated by the medics at the BCH. They also provided somewhere for my aunt to stay for a few months so that they could be together while she was treated. Without the BCH she wouldn’t be alive today and we are eternally grateful and I want to pay back my gratitude by helping to raise money for them and all the children that they treat.
Event co-founder Harvey McDonald with a young patient from the Birmingham Children’s Hospital, the Birmingham Pokewalk’s chosen charity (Photograph: Birmingham Pokewalk)
The Birmingham Pokewalk was inspired by similar events taking place across the country last month (Photograph: Birmingham Pokewalk)
What else do you do when you’re not geeking out over Pokémon?
A-hah, when am I not geeking out over Pokémon?! When I’m not organising Pokéwalks, I’m usually found in a dark room planning out and editing YouTube videos. In the past I’ve made videos of me scuba diving in Gran Canaria and Turkey, but I’d like to make more videos exploring the world. I also organise YouTube gatherings, special meet-ups and events, and am an actor and presenter in-between.
What else do you and the team hope for Pokéwalk after Halloween?
I’d love to make the Birmingham Pokéwalk an annual event similar to how the Zombie Walk has blossomed. Its gives more opportunities to raise money for a great charity and more opportunities to get out there and meet exciting new people!
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You can follow the Birmingham Pokéwalk on Facebook here, and Twitter here.
The Halloween Birmingham Pokéwalk takes place from 1pm on Saturday 29th October. More on the event page here.
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