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Sky’s the limit for Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland
Schools in Fife and Tayside can join a team of record breakers in an epic attempt to host the world’s biggest charity virtual balloon race..jpg)
To celebrate their 50th anniversary, Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland (SBH Scotland) is holding its first ever virtual balloon race, using cutting edge technology.
SBH Scotland is aiming to break the world record of the biggest virtual balloon race, by selling over 16,500 balloons and raising £50,000 throughout 2016 as part of its “With a Little Help From Our Friends” anniversary fundraising campaign.
To help them reach the ambitious target, SBH Scotland is calling on Fife and Tayside’s schools to become official partners. This means for every balloon the school sells, both SBH Scotland and their own school receive funding.
While the concept is similar to traditional events, with participants releasing balloons and hoping theirs will travel the furthest, the difference is a virtual race is completed online and the whole process is fun, educational, interactive and environmentally friendly with specific aspects to get children involved in science, geography and history.
People can choose the size, shape and the thickness of their balloon, with the design having a direct effect on the height and speed on how the balloon travels - a larger, more aerodynamic balloon may fly faster, but will be at a greater risk of exploding.
When the balloons are released St Andrew’s Day 2016, the real-time weather conditions will be inputted into an algorithm and the balloons will travel accordingly. The wind will blow, the rain will pour and over one week the balloons will fly or fall. Participants will be able to watch the race live and track their balloon’s progress to all corners of the globe.
The person whose balloon travels the furthest will win £1,000, and the runner-up will receive a mystery prize. In addition if you’re the biggest selling school partner you’ll win a special prize for your school.
Deborah Roe, fundraising director at SBH Scotland, said: “In our 50th year, we wanted to think of new, fun and unusual ways of fundraising. The virtual balloon race is a fantastic way of supporting the charity and the technology is just phenomenal.
“As we’re aiming to raise over £1m this year to fund the specialist services we offer across Scotland, we’re aiming to break the world record for the largest charity balloon race. This is such a unique event that we hope that everyone will want to get involved and join us this year when we launch online from St Andrew’s Cathedral.”
Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Scotland was formed in 1965 by a group of parents who each had a child with spina bifida (a fault in the spinal column where vertebrae do not form completely, leaving a gap causing problems with the nervous system) and/or hydrocephalus, a condition where increased pressure on the brain can cause social, emotional, cognitive and behavioural difficulties. Now 50 years later, the charity supports over 3,500 children, young people, adults, their family members and carers every year in Scotland whilst retaining its family orientated approach.
Balloons cost £3 each or £10 for four. To find out more about SBH Scotland’s virtual balloon race and becoming a school partner, please call 03455 211 600, email fundraising@sbhscotland.org.uk or visit www.sbhscotland.org.uk/balloons .