Sorry for the somewhat late reply, I only check on my comments every so often! As for whether or not they would want to help you out, it never hurts to try. Ev

Sorry for the somewhat late reply, I only check on my comments every so often! As for whether or not they would want to help you out, it never hurts to try. Even if that particular researcher can't, he might be able to refer you to someone who can or depending on the scope of the research hook you up with a student in need of a thesis / project etc. Academics often are in need of funding, if your idea has merit then I am sure you will he able to find someone that will research for you fairly quickly.