Berkhamsted pupils encouraged to sign up for Virtual Balloon Race

The PTA group for a school in Berkhamsted have signed up for an online balloon race to raise money to benefit the children at the school.

Friends of Swing Gate is a charity run by parent volunteers who organise events for Swing Gate School, in Berkhamsted, to raise money for educational resources and experiences for the children.

Due to COVID-19 they have had to cancel lots of fundraising opportunities this year, so they have decided to move things online, starting with this environmentally friendly balloon race.

The world’s only virtual balloon race system, developed by Purepages Group in Manchester, offers an eco-friendly way to raise money during the current coronavirus pandemic.

Emma Bedlow, chair of Friends of Swing Gate, said: “The virtual balloon race will ensure that our fundraising efforts continue in these unprecedented times of coronavirus and it will hopefully offer some entertainment to those that take part during this challenging time.

"We’d love the whole community to get involved.”

The race, titled ‘Halloween Race’ will ‘set off’ from Dracula’s Castle in Transylvania on Saturday, October 31.

First prize, for the balloon that travels the farthest, is £500 cash, second prize is an Apple iPad and there will also be 10 lucky winners of £10 book tokens.

Mike Phillips, managing director of Ecoracing.co, said: “It’s a seven-day computer simulation race where everything is real except the balloon.

"The software uses current live weather data to determine the progress of each balloon and each entry can be tracked on Google Maps and Satellites once launched.

"It has no negative environmental impact on all wildlife, climate change, plastic waste or litter. You can buy a virtual balloon for £3 and give it a name, colour, shape and pattern.

"In addition to this, you can select different features of your balloon, such as weight, which will determine its flight in order to enhance your chances of winning.

“It’s a fun and easy way to raise funds for a cause, which kids and adults alike love.”

To buy your balloon for £3 - of which £2.35 from each balloon goes to Friends of Swing Gate - or to find out more, visit: ecoracing.co/user/page/849.

Make sure you buy your balloon by 8am on Friday, October 30, and watch the race progress online.