A cash prize of £500 is up for grabs for the winner of a virtual balloon race that will raise money for Baby Beat, the charity supporting services for babies and parents at maternity services run in Preston and Chorley by Lancashire Teaching Hospitals.
The event, which starts on Monday 14th September, is an eco-friendly computer simulation that provides all the fun and excitement of a real balloon race without causing litter or harming animals and birds.
Before you launch your balloon you can personalise it with colours and text.
You can also change the helium content, thickness and shape of your balloon, which affects its speed, height and burst-resistance.
Real live weather conditions are used to simulate how your balloon will fly, and you’ll be able to track your balloon’s progress online throughout the race - a fantastic, fun opportunity for children to learn about geography and the environment.
Baby Beat manager Cathy Skidmore said: “The last few months have proved a real challenge for all charities but we have had some amazing support from local people, and we are really excited about this event! We want to encourage people to join us on Monday 14th September, as this is a fun way of spending time with children, learning some geography (whether young or not!) and all for a good cause.”
The virtual launch will take place in Red Square, Moscow, at noon on Monday 14th September, and the race will run for seven days.
As well as the £500 cash for the winner, there’s an Apple iPad for second place and 10 £10 book tokens for runners-up.
Money raised will go towards supporting maternity services in Preston and Chorley, including providing support for premature and newborn babies requiring specialist care and supporting families suffering stillbirth or the death of their baby.
Staff from the maternity and neonatal units will be joining the fun and getting competitive with their own balloons.
Entry costs £3 per balloon, with £2.37 from each purchase going to the charity. Sign up at ecoracing.co/user/page/584
