Virtual balloons from Lapland are raising funds for children with disabilities

Brainwave, the children's charity that runs the Manchester Duck Race, is launching a virtual balloon race from Lapland

Written by I Love MCR
Last updated 2 years ago
Charity, Family & Kids

The children’s charity that runs the Manchester Duck Race, Brainwave, is launching a virtual balloon race from Lapland to raise vital funds.

Balloons are just £5 each, with money raised helping children with disabilities reach their potential through a range of specialist therapies.

The race is computer-simulated where the software uses real live weather data to determine the progress of each balloon and each entry can be tracked once launched.

Participants can customise their balloon’s design, along with its helium content and rubber thickness, to enhance their chances of winning, depending on the predicted weather forecast on its journey.

Prizes include a seven-night 2021 family holiday and an Amazon Fire tablet. Balloons can also be purchased and gifted to friends, family or colleagues, making a great alternative to Christmas cards or secret Santa gifts.

“Our Virtual Balloon Race is a fun, eco-friendly and COVID-secure way of supporting our charity this Christmas and there are some fantastic prizes up for grabs,” said the charity’s chief executive, Keith Sinclair.

“Brainwave is an independent UK charity and we do not receive any statutory funding.

“2020 has been tough for us as we have had to cancel or postpone almost all our fundraising events, which has had a significant financial impact on our charity.

“Being unable to open our charity shops has also had a massive impact.

“We are hoping our supporters will take part in our first ever Virtual Balloon Race and help us raise vital funds for our charity.

“Our therapy programmes are life-changing, children who could not move, now walk, who could not make a sound, now giggle and whose low attainment at school, is now greatly improved.

“Thank you to everyone who gets involved, you will be making a massive difference to the lives of the families we support.”

The race will launch on Friday 11th December at 1pm and will finish at 1pm on Friday 18th December. Balloons are £5 each and can be purchased from: brainwave.org.uk/virtual-balloon-race.

This article was first published on 18 November 2020 and is subject to be updated from time to time. Please refresh or return to see the latest version.
Last updated 2 years ago.

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