Picture yourselves strapped to a machine over the Thames, poised to win a £5000 holiday, but with the full knowledge that a dunk into the waters could be on the way.
The odds may be stacked against you – the event is open for 18 pairs of challengers – but if you take on the double-decker bus sized dunk machine and win, the results won’t be another dip into London’s river, but an adventure to a beach on another side of the world.
Backup You Need, hosted by Direct Line, is the ultimate test of working in a pair, with questions pitted that aim to put your friendship to the test. If you don’t answer the questions correctly, you could face a dunk into the Thames from up to 20ft!
Taking place on August 30 between 2pm – 7pm, the first ever dunking machine will stand tall at Millwall Docklands ready to dip competitors into the water. Even if you do win, you’ll still be given the option of being dipped from 20ft into the Thames, so anyone with a keen wild swimming habit that also needs a holiday should take note.
You won’t necessarily be dunked from that high, though. One member of each pair will stand on the shores asking the questions, while the other is strapped in, with the height of the dunking dependent on how many correct answers are given.
Any incorrect answer will result in the member asking if they wish to be dunked in the River Thames, and the same will be asked to those who get all five questions right. In the event of a tie, a prize draw for the £5000 TUI voucher will take place!
Wendy Moores, Marketing Director at Direct Line, said: “Friends are those we turn to in times of need, just as our customers turn to us if they have insurance issues that need resolving. Our giant dunk machine, the largest London has ever seen on the River Thames, rewards true friendship with an opportunity to win a luxury holiday. We cannot wait to see how people answer and who gets dunked!”
A lifeguard with safety equipment will be on hand at all times during the event, and anyone entering the competition must be over 18. Happy dunking.
Participation in the event is free on a first-come, first served basis. You’ll need to book your place here, and you’ll find the giant dunk machine at Docklands Sailing and Watersports Centre, 235A Westferry Road, E14 3QS, on August 30.