Balloon Race 2011

Bristol Brunel Lions set up a stall outside "Just-So Balloons" on Henleaze Road on many Saturdays throughout the summer, selling tickets and releasing balloons for our 2011 Balloon Race.  The final release of balloons took place on Friday 30th Septemer.  It took some time for balloon labels to be returned and the finder and winner to be located, but this has now been completed.

Just-So Balloons and Bailey Balloons kindly sponsored all our costs, so every penny of the £606.24 raised will be devoted to our chosen charities.  As a result a cheque for £500 has gone to Rapid UK, the international response team based in Gloucestershire, who carry out such wonderful rescues in the aftermath of disasters.  The remaining £106.24 has been added to money raised by our Christmas Carol Float to be donated to the Chescombe Trust (based in Patchway) and other Lions-approved charities, most of which are based in the local area.

Balloon labels were returned fom the following places (in no particular order):

Reading - Berks, Tonbridge - Kent, Windleshore - Surrey, Keynsham - Bristol, Tetbury - Glos, Belpar - Derby, Heanor - Derby, Bilsthorpe - Nottinghamshire, Ipswich - Suffolk, Southan - Warwickshire, Chedworth - Gloucestershire, Woodingdean - Brighton, Coventry, & Cleeve Hill Golf Course - Gloucestershire.

The winning ticket is one of three which were returned from the Ipswich area.  The winning ticket, numbered 219, was found on a golf course just north of Ipswich, and was purchased by Brian Jones, who will have his ride in a hot-air balloon when the ballooning season reopens from April onwards, courtesy of Bailey Balloons.   The first photograph on the "Photo Gallery" page shows Brian being congratulated by Jo Bailey, of Bailey Balloons, and Lion President Duncan White, accompanied by the seller of the winning ticket, Lion Rod Jones, and Lion Kate Taylor of Just-So Balloons. Meanwhile, the £10 finders reward has been sent to the lucky gentleman who found the ticket whilst playing golf!  The second photograph is of Mrs Laurence Hopper, the winner of the second prize, being presented with a large cuddly toy lion, by Lion President Duncan and Lion Kate.

Very many thanks to everyone who supported this fund-raising venture!