Health charity takes to the skies with virtual balloon race

WITH COVID restrictions remaining in place at the current time, fundraisers are continuing to explore innovative ways for the public to support good causes, and Hywel Dda Health Charities is proud to launch a fun, eco-friendly, virtual challenge everyone can get involved in. It takes place from St Valentine’s Day, Sunday 14th February, and starts in Paris, the city of romance!

Tara Nickerson, Fundraising Manager for Hywel Dda Health Charities said, “We’re always looking at new and alternative options for our supporters who want to give back and show their appreciation for the NHS – whether it’s their way of thanking staff for the exceptional care they or a loved one received, or, as we are seeing at the current time, a general acknowledgement for the exceptional work of the NHS through the Coronavirus pandemic.

“We’re blown away by some of the creative ways people have come up with over the last year to support our NHS charity, from physical challenges, to selling items they’ve made, and joining in our Christmas Jumper Day. But we know that many people want an easy way to do their bit from the comfort of their home, so we’re thrilled to announce that we’re taking part in an eco-friendly virtual balloon race for the first time, this Valentine’s Day.”

For a £3 entry fee, participants are allocated a virtual balloon, which they can personalise if they wish, with prizes awarded according to the distance travelled by the balloons in a straight line from the virtual launch location – the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

The race will last a week from midday on Sunday 14th February with prizes including £500 cash, an Apple iPad and Book Tokens. Hywel Dda Health Charities will also award prizes of £50 and £25 gift vouchers for the furthest-travelled balloons in support of their cause.

There’s no limit to the number of times supporters can enter, and with each virtual balloon costing the price of some Valentine’s cards, Tara hopes people will be tempted to get into the spirit of the event and enter more than once.

“Our theme for this year is ‘Show Your NHS Charity Some Love’. We all know how much the public has appreciated the incredible work of our wonderful healthcare professionals throughout the current crisis, and it would be fantastic if people choose to enter more than one balloon, maybe buying an entry as a gift for someone they love, in memory of someone they’ve lost, or just to show they care about our NHS at the present time.”

Businesses, clubs and associations are encouraged to take part, even going head-to-head with internal challenges to see which team member’s balloon travels furthest. “It really is a case of ‘the sky’s the limit’!” says Tara.

Entry is open until 1130 on 14th February 2021 at www.ecoracing.co/user/page/1191

Hywel Dda Health Charities is the official Charity of Hywel Dda University Health Board. It exists to make a positive difference to the health, wellbeing and experience of NHS patients, service users and staff across Carmarthenshire, Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire and bordering counties.

Full terms and conditions for the event are available at www.ecoracing.co/site/page?view=terms